Congolese Catholic rights worker arrested, detained without charges

Published: 2006-11-16

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (CNS) -- A Congolese Catholic human rights worker was arrested and detained without charges in Brazzaville. Christian Mounzeo, president of a Congolese peace and human rights organization working for accountability in the oil industry, was arrested Nov. 13 and accused of defaming the president. He was released Nov. 14. A statement from Publish What You Pay, a coalition of international nongovernmental organizations that promote transparency in oil production, said it feared Mounzeo's arrest would result in charges of defaming the head of state, a crime in the Republic of Congo. Mounzeo was denied access to his attorney, which is against Congolese law, the coalition said. Mounzeo's organization is affiliated with Publish What You Pay.

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