Burundian Journalist Sandra Muhoza Granted Provisional Release After Nearly Two Years in Detention

Burundian journalist Sandra Muhoza has been provisionally released after spending nearly two years in detention, a decision welcomed by international press freedom organizations while legal proceedings against her continue.

Muhoza, a reporter for the independent online outlet La Nova Burundi, was freed on 4 March 2026 following an order issued by the prosecutor at the Ngozi Court of Appeal in northern Burundi. The decision ended approximately 685 days in detention, during which the journalist remained imprisoned while contesting charges related to her reporting and communications with other journalists.

Her release comes with strict conditions. Authorities require Muhoza to remain in her province of residence, regularly report to judicial authorities, and refrain from actions that could interfere with the ongoing investigation while her appeal process continues.

Muhoza was arrested on 13 April 2024 in the city of Ngozi and later transferred to Mpimba Central Prison in Bujumbura. Prosecutors accused her of undermining the country’s territorial integrity and inciting ethnic hatred. The charges were linked to comments she shared in a private WhatsApp group used by journalists, where she discussed allegations that government officials were distributing weapons to youth members of the ruling party.

In January 2026, the Ngozi High Court sentenced Muhoza to four years in prison, prompting her legal team to file an appeal challenging both the conviction and the legal basis of the charges. Earlier proceedings had already been criticized after an appeals court ruled that a previous trial had been conducted by a court lacking jurisdiction, yet she remained in custody while new proceedings were launched.

Press freedom organizations have described the case as emblematic of the pressures faced by journalists in Burundi. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) welcomed Muhoza’s provisional release, noting that it allows her to reunite with her family and receive medical care after experiencing health problems during detention. However, the group stressed that the decision does not resolve the broader legal case and urged authorities to drop the charges entirely.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also welcomed the release but emphasized that Muhoza’s conviction remains a concern. The organization called on Burundian authorities not to oppose her appeal and urged the judiciary to overturn the verdict so she can return to work without further harassment.

Muhoza is expected to appear before the appeals court again, with a final ruling anticipated in the coming weeks.

Reference –

Burundian journalist Sandra Muhoza provisionally released after nearly 2 years

https://rsf.org/en/burundi-sandra-muhoza-granted-provisional-release-after-685-days-behind-bars