Reporters Without Borders (RSF) calls on the authorities in Kasaï-Oriental province, in the southeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, to drop all charges against Faustin Mbiya, a radio journalist who was held arbitrarily for three days for violating Covid-19 lockdown measures.

He was freed on bail of 300,000 Congolese francs (160 euros) on 12 May pending trial on charges of "violating emergency health measures" and "insulting the provincial authorities."

"We urge the authorities to drop all charges against this journalist, who had no place being in prison," said Arnaud Froger, the head of RSF's Africa desk.

"The Congolese authorities and security forces must allow journalists to work freely.

According to RSF's tally, a total of 26 journalists have been arrested in connection with their coronavirus coverage in sub-Saharan Africa since the start of the epidemic, and around 20 have been attacked while gathering information about the epidemic (with 90% of the attacks being carried out by members of the security forces).