Cameroon | Double Condemnation of Amadou Vamoulké: Reporters Sans Frontières requires his « immediate release » .

Since his arrest on July 29, 2016, he has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for embezzlement of public funds, notably for having illegally received vacation fees amounting to 16 million CFA francs and for having paid, without authorization from the board of directors, salary supplements to staff of the Ministry of Finance assigned to the CRTV.

Amadou Vamoulké has again been condemned for the same motive on August 28, but this time to 20 years in prison, making a total of 32 years of imprisonment. A detention deemed « arbitrary» by several actors in the justice system.

Following this decision, Reporters sans frontières has spoken out: « This grotesque condemnation completes a judicial harassment that has lasted for eight years against a journalist recognized for his rigor and integrity. Everything is problematic in this case: on the merits, there is evidence attesting to Amadou Vamoulké’s innocence; on the form, the two judgments were rendered illegally under Cameroonian law. How can a journalist be sentenced to 32 years in prison in total, all based on unfounded accusations and without tangible evidence? The authorities must act and release this journalist immediately» .

Alain Massé, former Director-General of Radio France and coordinator of the International Committee for the Rehabilitation and Release of Amadou Vamoulké, describes this decision as « formidable, feared, and clearly expected » According to him, « Vamoulké’s imprisonment is the result of his integrity» . Indeed, the man dubbed « Mr. Clean of public media » reduced his salary and social benefits when he joined the CRTV.

A worrying health situation

Reporters sans frontières reveals that the health status of this former Director-General of the CRTV is critical. The 74-year-old man suffers from « severe neuropathy attested to by two neurologists and five other pathologies requiring medical care that is difficult to obtain on site » .

Constantin Gonnang, Afrik Inform ☑️

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