We were told about disturbance in the Ndolo prison were Joshua and Tjostolv are sitting through the media. Right after 3 pm I called the on duty at the foreign ministry. She informed me that they were informed about the riot by the press secretary 20-30 minutes earlier. They didn’t even consider informing the families. The foreign ministry has apparently spoken to someone in charge at the prison. Who, I don’t know. The riot took place in another part of the prison than Josh and Tjostolv are, and we were told they were safe.
Now, about 4.30 pm we have received more detailed information from the foreign ministry. Ambassador Vea has been in contact with the Correction Unit in Monusco (UN in Congo) who told him it was an escape attempt from some Congolese prisoners. Four Congolese were shot during the escape. I assume they were injured if the shots hit them. A fifth were shot, injured and died later at the hospital. Monusco were after they were told about the riot send a special team to the prison to make sure the security around the two Norwegian prisoners are taken care of. According to Monusco the escape attempt didn’t have anything to do with the election. The Foreign Service is now creating contact with the British and ambassador Vea will stay in close contact with Monusco.
I called the warden at Ndolo prison directly. He doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak French, but he probably understood that I was Joshua’s mother, but I didn’t get to talk to him. In addition to the warden I’ve been in contact with the foreign ministry, lawyer Furuholmen and others in this country. I’ve also been in contact with the Salvation Army, lawyer Kibambe, my contact at British foreign ministry, Reprieve etc.
Kari Hilde French, December 11th 2011
