Angola: Unfair Trial of Fernando Lelo

The organization believes he was convicted solely for the non-violent expression of his opinions, including criticism of the Angolan government. [...] During his time as a correspondent for VOA radio, Fernando Lelo wrote articles critical of the Memorandum of Understanding for Peace and Reconciliation in Cabinda and the peace process. [...] Amnesty International believes that Fernando Lelo is a prisoner of conscience arrested and imprisoned solely because of the lawful expression of his beliefs and his criticism of the government. [...] In February 2008 the case was transferred to a military court in Cabinda for adjudication, despite the fact that Fernando Lelo was never a member of the military and should therefore not have been tried by a military court under Angolan law and international human rights law. [...] Prior to the trial, the soldiers said that they had been tortured and forced to say that they knew Fernando Lelo and that he had provided them with material for a rebellion.