Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Mimi Mefo Info
Published on 2024-02-25 21:28:22
Lawyer at the Cameroon bar and university professor, Master Claude Assira has broken the silence on what is now known as the Bruno Bidjang case, which continues to be the subject of headlines in the press. In a statement circulating on social media, Master Claude Assira’s position is unequivocal: “Let us remain vigilant and avoid being fooled.” According to the lawyer, this case raises several questions. He does not believe that the video presented to the public could be the reason for the journalist’s arrest. He then questions the exceptional custody measures, as well as the direction of the case towards the military tribunal when Bidjang is neither a military officer nor facing charges of terrorism or endangering state security. He also questions the decision to place him in pre-trial detention despite the journalist providing guarantees of representation.
“I have always been convinced that ‘The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who watch and do nothing’ (A. Einstein). However, to ‘do,’ one must be well-informed. An informed citizen should always avoid being swayed by emotions and forming an opinion based on concrete elements examined with rigor and serenity. From this perspective, when you watch the video below, can we really believe that it alone led to the sudden arrest of a well-known journalist with unquestionable representation guarantees? Certainly not. What he says is trivial, known to all, and has been said more forcefully by others without consequences. And if there were to be consequences, why a fifteen-day exceptional custody? Why the direction towards the military tribunal when the individual, who is not a military officer (Law of July 17, 2017 on Military Justice Code), is not being charged with terrorism (Law 2014 on repression of acts of terrorism), endangering state security (Law 1990), or a war-related offense? Why pre-trial detention when he offers guarantees of representation (Criminal Procedure Code of 2005)?
Therefore, in the case of Bruno Bidjang, there is something fishy going on… We must tread carefully and refrain from jumping to definitive conclusions. What if it is a resurgence of another case in which the same arrested journalist was set free? If it is about that case, it would mean he was arrested, questioned again at the gendarmerie, without a judicial commission…! This would simply be a judicial heresy because in the previous case…”
Albert Atangana
(End of translation)
Read the original article(French) on Mimi Mefo Info
