Congo: Laurent Desiré Kabila’s murderer and his co-accused pardoned

Incarcerated for 15 years and sentenced to death in the 2001 assassination trial of the former Congolese president Laurent Desiré Kabila, Eddy Kapend will benefit from a presidential pardon. A measure granted by the current President Felix Tshisekedi to all the persons condemned in the frame of this trial.

Sentenced in January 2003, the ex-camp helper of Laurent Desire kabila has passed more than 20 years in prison.

Considered as a political prisonner by several Non governmental Organizations, Eddy Kapend has always claimed his innocence.

This decision is not aimed for only one prisoner. it is a measure of collective grace. Dozen of prisoner who fuflill the criteria set by the judicial authorities are beneficiaries.

The ex-camp helper of Laurent Desire Kabila who was at the beginning sentenced to death, has seen his sentence be commuted to a penal servitude in perpetuity.