Freed Talk-Show Host Excited to Reunite with Children

Floriane Irangabiye, a talk-show host who was serving a 10-year prison sentence for allegedly undermining Burundi’s national integrity, has been released from Bubanza Prison.

Speaking to the BBC, Irangabiye, who had been behind bars for nearly two years, expressed her joy at being freed and her eagerness to see her two children.

The 36-year-old journalist, who was living in Rwanda and running Radio Igicaniro before her arrest, was sentenced in January after returning to Burundi in August 2022 for a family funeral.

She had been critical of Burundi’s government through her media work, in a country known for its poor press freedom, ranking 108th out of 180 countries.

Her release came after she and her lawyers appealed to President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who granted her a pardon. Irangabiye thanked the president and others who supported her release, highlighting her worsening medical condition during imprisonment.

Local rights groups have welcomed her release but continue to call for the freedom of other political prisoners, including another journalist, Sandra Muhoza, who faces similar charges.

Despite some reforms under President Ndayishimiye, Burundi still struggles with human rights issues, as noted by BBC’s Great Lakes service.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24pq6nm585o

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