Central African Republic: Portuguese humanitarian risks life in prison for espionage

The Central African government accuses Belgian Portuguese national Martin Joseph Figueira of spying for certain Western countries, notably the United States.

It was during a press briefing held at the Presidency of the Republic that the President's advisor Archange Touadera clarified the facts on the situation of the member of the American NGO FHI 360.

"There is both audio and written evidence with payments of money and deliveries of weapons. We trust the justice of our country and the elements that they have in their possession, they consider that these elements are so heavy that they can lead to the deferral of this gentleman and then to presentation before the judges", explained Yaloké Mokpeme, Advisor and President of the Presidency of the CAR.

It has been two months now since he was arrested on May 25 in Zemio in Haut-Mboumou. He is accused of financing terrorist groups among Ali Darassa's Unit for Peace in Central Africa (UPC), conspiracy, espionage, and incitement to hatred. While the NGO Family Health International 360 denies the accusations, the government says it has physical and audio evidence incriminating him. But for a few days now, according to the prosecutor, he has been on a hunger strike, a maneuver aimed at manipulating public opinion.

"The hunger strike, the press release from the public prosecutor talks about it, we cannot escape it. It is a method that is always used by those who are accused of this type of situation, they tell us about a hunger strike, and they say that they have health problems, and so on. We know that this has always been the method that these people use to manipulate public opinion," said Yaloké Mokpeme.

While international organizations have looked into the situation calling for his pure and simple release because the allegations are unfounded, the government assures that he will face justice in the coming days. Meanwhile, the NGO FHI 360 and his lawyer say they are concerned about his situation in view of his detention at the De Roux military camp. Joseph Figuera if found guilty risks life in prison.