Burundi Forces Release Two Foreign Journalists

The security forces in Burundi have released the two foreign journalists early Friday morning.

The journalists, Jean-Philippe Remy, a correspondent with the French newspaper Le Monde, and Philip Moore, a freelance British photographer, were arrested in Bujumbura, the capital of the country on Thursday afternoon in a police raid that led to the detainment of 15 other people.

The government accused both men of being involved in anti-government activities. Remy and Moore were interviewing opponents of the government before the police conducted the raid in the suburb of Nyakabiga, where they confiscated pistols, a Kalashnikov rifle and a mortar.

The statement issued by Burundi's security ministry read, "The two foreigners were arrested in the company of armed criminals," the Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported.

Burundi police deputy spokesman Moise Nkurunziza had stated, "If there is no evidence against them, they will be released, of course."

The French ambassador Gerrit Van Rossum visited the two acclaimed journalists at the National Intelligence Service (SNR) headquarters, where they were being questioned. Once the authorities determined that the men were not guilty, they were immediately released.

Prior to the release, the arrest sparked outcry from France and several organizations.

French foreign minister Laurent Fabius called for the "immediate release" of the journalists.

Le Monde's statement also called for the release of the journalists, adding that they had "valid visas and were merely exercising their professional duties by meeting all concerned parties involved in the current tensions in Burundi."

AFP chairman Emmanuel Hoogsaid, said in a statement to the President of Burundi Pierre Nkurunziza, "There is no justification for the arrest of these two experienced reporters who are widely respected in the profession."

"The Burundian authorities should immediately release French journalist Jean-Philippe Remy and British photographer Phil Moore, unless there is a credible legal basis for detaining them, and guarantee their safety," Carina Tertsakian of Human Rights Watch said.

The Foreign Correspondents' Association of East Africa (FCAEA) stated, "We know them to be consummate professionals and are disturbed by news of their detention while they were doing their jobs in Bujumbura."

Remy and Moore have been recognized for their work in their respective fields.