Military Order Court Acquits Mr. Prince Kumwamba Nsapu and Mr. Gregoire Mulamba Tshisakamba

Human Rights First is pleased to inform you that as of Tuesday, April 22, 2003, Mr. Kumwamba Nsapu and Mr. Mulamba Tshisakamba have been acquitted by the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Military Court (COM) in Lubumbashi.

The COM recognized in its decision of April 22, 2003 that the joint press release (explained in previous Lawyer Committee statements) at stake was merely making recommendations and that its distribution did not incite the military to commit disobedient or disorderly acts. In doing so, the COM made specific reference to new constitutional measures relative to freedom of expression and association.

Furthermore, the COM recognized that the laws decreed on November 18, 2002 relative to the new judicial military code are in effect as of March 25, 2003, resulting from decrees 032/2003 and 033/2003, made by the Head of State on March 18, 2003.

Consequently, the COM’s lawsuit of March 25, 2003 has been reviewed in light of this new law, specifically relating to the decision rendered April 18, 2003 in Lisaki regarding ABISSA BOSONGO and consorts. Specifically, after two years of preventative detention, the COM filed suit and condemned 13 of the 20 convicted to the death penalty.