Reprieve is calling on the British government to make urgent representations to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to stop the illegal raids of the prison in which Briton Joshua French and his co-defendant Tjostolv Moland are held.
The two prisoners have reported that gangs dressed as UN authorities -- but refusing to provide requisite identification -- entered Kisangani Central Prison and, after threatening prisoners with violence and execution, proceeded to steal money, food, electronic equipment and tobacco from their cells and ransack what was left.
• Demand that Joshua French is moved from the remote Kisangani Central Prison to a safer prison in the capital Kinshasa
• Seek immediate assurance from the DRC government that the death threats made to Joshua French are not carried out by the DRC military
Dual British/Norwegian national Joshua, 29, and Norwegian Tjostolv Moland, 30, have been imprisoned since 2009, when they were sentenced to death by firing squad by Kisangani’s military tribunal. Throughout the case, the tribunal made repeated demands for money from the defendants and anyone connected with them. Witnesses were paid exorbitant sums for their testimony.
Prison conditions in Kisangani Central Prison are appalling; cells are extremely small and many have no windows, lights, electricity, running water or toilet facilities. Both men have caught malaria and Tjostolv Moland has been suffering from psychosis as a result of the disease.
Reprieve investigator Katherine Bekesi said:
“Exasperatingly, the British government continues to drag its feet on this case, seemingly unconcerned by the dangerous conditions and relentless injustice that is a daily reality for Joshua French. This raid should serve as a wake-up call – this prisoner desperately needs help.”
Joshua French’s mother Kari Hilde French said:
“Urgent questions must be asked concerning the four representatives from MONUSCO/UN. If their representatives were genuine then the UN has a big job to do to ensure that their representatives behave in a way befitting their status.”
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