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ALERT - DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

13 March 2002

Director of rural radio station arrested in Goma

SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa

(JED/IFEX) - Raphaël Paluku Kyana, director of the Radio rurale de
Kanyabayonga (RRKA) radio station, which broadcasts in North-Kivu province,
was arrested on 9 March 2002. The region is under the control of the
Rassemblement congolais pour la démocratie (RCD), a rebel movement that is
supported by Rwanda and is waging a war against the Kinshasa government.
Paluku is being detained in Goma's Bureau II prison. Goma is North-Kivu
province's main city. He is reportedly being detained in inhumane
conditions.

According to information received by JED, Paluku was arrested at the
Bunangana border. He was on his way to Nairobi, Kenya, to attend a seminar,
and was then expecting to go on to Mbuji-Mayi, via Kinshasa, to attend the
ARCO (Congolese Community Radio Stations' Association) annual meeting. The
official motive for his arrest is unknown.

For further information, contact D. M'Baya Tshimanga, president, Journaliste
en danger (JED), B.P. 633 Kinshasa 1, Democratic Republic of Congo, tel.
+243 99 29 323, +243, 99 29 345, fax: +243 12 21974, e-mail:
[email protected], [email protected], Internet:
http://www.jed-congo.org

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of JED.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit JED.
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