Dieudonne Niyonsenga, whose YouTube channel has more than 15 million views was sentenced to seven years in prison.
A Rwandan who used his YouTube channel to criticise the government has been sentenced to seven years in prison by a court in Kigali, amid a growing crackdown on dissidents in the tightly controlled East African nation.
Dieudonne Niyonsenga, whose YouTube channel Ishema TV had amassed more than 15 million views, was found guilty on Thursday on four charges including forgery, impersonation, and “humiliating” state officials.
“We are appealing this verdict against Niyonsenga with immediate effect. It is simply not right,” his lawyer Gatera Gashabana said on Friday.
The court found Niyonsenga to have committed the crimes intentionally and coupled the verdict with a fine of five million Rwandan francs ($4,900).
“Due to the adverse consequences that his crimes have had on Rwandan society, the court orders that Dieudonne Niyonsenga be immediately arrested and taken to serve his jail sentence,” the judge said in delivering the verdict.
Niyonsenga, better known by his YouTube persona Cyuma, which means “Iron”, was known for discussing human rights abuses on his channel.
Shortly after the verdict, the YouTube star said police had surrounded his home. Police and prison officials have not confirmed whether Niyonsenga has been taken into custody after being sentenced in absentia.
His jailing comes weeks after another high-profile critic with a YouTube following was sent to prison.
Last month, Rwandan authorities arrested six people including a journalist and members of an opposition party accused of publishing rumours allegedly intended to start an uprising.
Theoneste Nsengimana, who runs Umubavu TV – an online Youtube channel that often airs content critical of the government, was among those arrested.
Niyonsenga has already been arrested in April 2020, after broadcasting a series of videos accusing soldiers of serious abuses against slum dwellers during the enforcement of a strict coronavirus lockdown.
Shortly afterwards, he was charged with violating the lockdown and impersonating a journalist and sent to prison.
He was acquitted and released 11 months later but prosecutors appealed to a higher court.
The crackdown on YouTube creators has had a chilling effect in Rwanda, where independent media has been quashed and other forms of free expression are strictly monitored by the government.
Critics have accused President Paul Kagame’s government of human rights abuses although it has had support from Western donors for restoring stability in the years after the genocide, and boosting economic growth.
In March, Human Rights Watch voiced alarm about the crackdown. Kagame has denied accusations of abuse.
source: Al Jazeera English
963143 776353You will discover some fascinating points in time in this post but I do not know if I see all of them center to heart. Theres some validity but I will take hold opinion until I appear into it further. Great post , thanks and we want a lot far more! Added to FeedBurner too 887805
729251 108705The subsequent time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my option to read, but I truly thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is actually a bunch of whining about something that you possibly can repair ought to you werent too busy on the lookout for attention. 649994
547976 214351Deference to op , some superb entropy. 541464
395867 137134quite excellent post, i definitely enjoy this excellent site, keep on it 64252
45827 573863I adore gathering beneficial information, this post has got me even a lot more info! . 970834
140773 779140I certainly did not comprehend that. Learnt one thing new today! Thanks for that. 353927
354051 796170Hello to all I cannot comprehend the method to add your site in my rss reader. Assist me, please 525977
566186 321071I got what you mean ,bookmarked , quite good internet web site . 510484
400499 175164There is noticeably a lot of cash to understand about this. I assume youve created certain nice points in capabilities also. 458549
803064 314723This web-site is truly a walk-through rather than the information you desired concerning this and didnt know who to inquire about. Glimpse here, and you will definitely discover it. 171352
My brother recommended I might like this website. He was totally right.
This post truly made my day. You can not imagine just how much time I had spent for this information! Thanks!
Sistem Joіn di Situs Јudi Online
Untuk menjadii salah satu member di website judi terbaik
juga tak sulit sama sеkali. Caara yang kamu perllukan juga hanya memakan waktu sekitar limɑ menitan saja.
Jikalau yang semestinya kamu lakukan untuк membuat ID baru adalah dengan menemukan situs judi terbaіk dann
pasti berkwalitas. Segalа tellah berhasil menemukan laman jᥙdi yasng pasti beгkualitaѕ, baru kamu dapat lanjut lagi untuk mendftar menjadi member baru.
Seandainya itu dapat anda dapatkan di situs
joқer123 terpercaya , daftar seketioka dan daapatkan bonus new member.
Pertama-tama, jalan masᥙҝ khususnya dahulu
laman judi onlinbe yang telah kаmu piⅼih. Lɑlu, berlanjut ke
masuk menu regiѕtrasi. Semua sudah, kamu dapat seցera mengusi data dirі yang dipinta oleh wеb јudi
online. Jangan hіnbgga adaa yang salаh dalam pengisіan data diri.
Proggres itu, tinggaⅼ klik daftar saja. Cara untuk menjaԁi member baru juga cuma akan memakаn ѡaktu seкitar lima menitɑn saja.
Bagaimana? ѕekali bukan untuk menjadi salah saatu memƄr
di siitᥙs jyԁi game slot online online terbaik?
There are more than 140 champions that a pllayer can select fro in Leagvue of Legends.
Also visit my web-site 안전놀이터 (Nicholas)
It is completelpy regular for players to ave queries and queries.
Visit my web sitye … 카지노사이트; zemaox.actoblog.com,
That indicates that you will have to threat $11 for every $ten you
want to win.
my web-site 카지노
In terms of run line betting, finding trends for this may also be helpful.
Alsoo visit my blog post 바카라 (Latrice)
Management Develops, reviews and revises educational and clinical recommendations as suitable.
Here is my homepage 유흥알바
The gambling tax in Kentucky is fairly low andd is at present set at 1.five% of the quantity that a
bettor will wager for slot machines.
Also visit my hoomepage 토토사이트
Tournaments are aplenty inside the mBit Casino’s virtual halls,
as well.
my web blog: 카지노게임사이트
In the 12th century, there were visions of soccer played inn Britain and Ireland it
was referred to as mob football.
My web blog :: 메이저사이트
The withdrawal time varies according to the sportsbook and the approach you choose.
My blog post: 토토사이트
A ‘futures bet’ iss just a bett on an event that will
occur in the future as opposed to a specific, single event.
Also visit my web blog – 안전놀이터
You can also calculate prospective odds and payouts before making a bet.
My homepage: 안전놀이터
379307 223065I believe one of your commercials caused my internet browser to resize, you may well want to put that on your blacklist. 898339
434759 61015If you are nonetheless on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Finest Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which 1 sounds greater to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you will know which is correct for you. 866591
785028 336342They call it the self-censor, just because youre too self-conscious of your writing, too judgmental. 605849
84076 594118Aw, it was an incredibly good post. In thought I would like to set up writing similar to this moreover – taking time and actual effort to create a really excellent article but exactly what do I say I procrastinate alot and also no means manage to go done. 991569
896808 968732The subsequent time I read a weblog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a whole lot as this one. I mean, I know it was my option to read, but I truly thought youd have something attention-grabbing to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you possibly can repair really should you werent too busy on the lookout for attention. 231770
911626 608677I recognize theres lots of spam on this internet site. Do you require help cleansing them up? I might assist among courses! 570592
61846 543812learning toys can enable your kids to develop their motor skills quite easily;; 387058
309318 620983Keep up the wonderful piece of work, I read couple of blog posts on this internet web site and I believe that your site is real interesting and has lots of fantastic information. 40975
509738 125858I like this blog its a master peace ! Glad I detected this on google . 266569
716812 897848really nice post, i definitely enjoy this wonderful site, persist with it 339743