DRC: Political Prisoner on the Verge of Death · Global Voices
Alice Backer

Claude Ramazani Mwenyewe, an official of opposition party UDPS, was arrested and  held without trial  since May 18, 2005 by Joseph Kabila's “pretorian guard”, says (FR) a UDPS statement posted on Le Blog du Congolais. UDPS calls for his release adding: “He is not given a right to family, medical or UDPS member visits. Forced to live, sleep and shit in the same narrow [subterranean] cell … he fell into a coma … He is currently agonizing in his cell. Guards have told his relatives that his death is imminent.” The statement goes on to say that EU Commissary Louis Michel who is perceived as a protector of Kabila should be held accountable if Ramazani passes while detained.  Other UDPS officials from UDPS/Matadi such as Jose Nzau have been detained since May 2005 and UDPS also calls for their release.