In a press release issued a few hours ago, Lawyer Hippolyte MELI announced, on behalf of the Sylvain SOUOP collective, that three CRM activists arrested during “peaceful march protest” organised by the party on 22 September 2020, have been released from prison.
“Dorgelesse NGUESSAM and 2 other victims of the political and judicial repression of the CRM peaceful marches of 22 September 2020 have regained their freedom. Despite the illegality of the criminal proceedings against them, the Court convicted them, thereby reducing to six months, the five year sentence issued by the military judges of the Douala Military Court. That’s an improvement,” reads the press release.
“Of the 41 victims still imprisoned, 3 will be released upon payment of costs amounting 54,000 FCFA. The only woman who was detained alongside other victims will be among those freed. The fight for the freedom of the others still continues before the Supreme Court of Cameroon. An appeal to the Supreme Court will be lodged in every way possible to ensure that the law prevails. The opinion of the UN-WGDA given during the proceedings cannot be trampled underfoot like this“, stated the lawyers’ collective.
“The Supreme Court of Cameroon will have to assume its responsibilities or fall in line behind the police and administrative violence. Public opinion will be kept informed of the outcome,” they lawyers collective added.