DR Congo rights group demands fair trial in $9 million case
The Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ) is calling for a thorough investigation into alleged embezzlement of over $9 million in Kongo-Central province.
The Congolese Association for Access to Justice (ACAJ), a human rights group, is calling for a thorough investigation into alleged embezzlement of more than $9 million in Kongo-Central province. The call follows a provisional decision by the Court of Auditors implicating several provincial officials.
In a statement published on Wednesday, the ACAJ said the case will test the mechanisms for controlling public finances and fighting corruption. According to the Court of Auditors' provisional findings, the governor, the provincial finance minister and the provincial delegated authorising officer are subject to the ongoing investigations.
The ACAJ said the process must respect the independence of the judiciary and the rights of the defence, while establishing the truth. It also called for recovery of public funds if the competent bodies establish that they were misused.
Why it mattersOfficials named in the Court of Auditors' findings, including the governor, face an investigation into more than $9 million in alleged misused public funds.