BUBANZA March 26th (ABP) – 159 inmates of the central prison of Bubanza (north-west of Burundi) benefited, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, from provisional and conditional releases in the presence of the Minister of Justice, Mrs. Domine Banyankimbona. She was in the company of the Attorney General of the Republic and the President of the Supreme Court, a check on the site by ABP has revealed.
According to the Attorney General of the Republic Mr. Léonard Manirakiza, those who were released are those who were already convicted and who behaved well up to a quarter of the sentence.
Others are those who have committed minor offenses whose cases are still pending before the courts, and those with cases currently under investigation. He deplores cases of released prisoners who repeat the same crimes and return to prison.
In her speech, Minister Banyankimbona reassured the victims of the offenses committed by those released detainees, specifying that damages and interest will be granted to them. To those who were provisionally released, the minister recommended that they appear whenever necessary until the cases are closed.
Minister Banyankimbona advised them to adopt good behavior in the neighborhood and avoid repeating the same offenses. She also urged them to engage in development activities in order to contribute to the achievement of the vision of emerging Burundi in 2040 and a developed country in 2060.
To the judicial authorities, the Minister of Justice reminded them that the dungeon and prison should be the exception, and to always consider closing the files on time. Note that the Bubanza central prison currently houses 454 inmates, including 4 infants.