Human Rights Lawyer Freed in DR Congo
Marie Therese Nlandu, the human rights lawyer detained in prison in the Democratic Republic of Congo since November 2006, has been freed from prison after all the charges against her and her nine co-defendants were unexpectedly dropped.
The mother of four was charged on 11 December 2006 with inciting insurrection and possessing illegal firearms as well as setting fire to the Supreme Court, even though she was already in police custody at the time this attack occurred. Although a civilian, Nlandu was tried before a military tribunal, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reported.
Since the trial began in January, it has been repeatedly adjourned, with the judges failing to convene on designated trial dates for over a month.
