This archive report was first published on 12 September 2019.
Published on September 12, 2019, a Tanzanian court adjourned the case of prominent investigative journalist Erick Kabendera for the fourth time since his arrest on July 29, 2019.
Kabendera, who has written for national and international publications, including The EastAfrican, Britain's Guardian, and Times, was initially detained over issues concerning his citizenship but was later charged with leading organized crime, failing to pay taxes, and money laundering.
During the court hearing, Kabendera, who appeared in court with a limp, complained of severe pain in his leg and chest pains. A prison doctor had examined him the previous week, and he was due for another medical examination on Friday.
Magistrate Augustine Rwizile adjourned the case until September 18, 2019, and said he would rule next week on Kabendera's request to be treated at a government hospital after receiving an update on his medical condition from the prison doctor.
Kabendera is being held at the Segerea prison, a maximum security facility on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam, where conditions are poor due to overcrowding, according to rights groups.
Press freedom in Tanzania has drastically deteriorated since President John Magufuli's election in 2015, with rights groups citing the suspension of some newspapers, the arrest of opposition leaders, and the restriction of political rallies.
