This archive report was first published on 18 September 2019.
On Wednesday, September 18, 2019, freelance journalist Eric Kabendera told a court that he was allowed to seek medical attention, despite still experiencing pain.
According to Kabendera, he was taken to Amana Hospital on Tuesday, where medics performed an X-ray of his spine and drew blood samples for tests.
As he continues to struggle with walking due to the pain in one of his legs, Kabendera's lawyers had previously requested the court to allow him to receive treatment at a government hospital.
Kabendera, who writes for various local and international publications, including The EastAfrican, was arrested on July 29, 2019, and initially detained over issues concerning his citizenship.
However, when he appeared in court on August 5, he was charged with money laundering, tax evasion, and leading a criminal racket.
The prosecution stated that investigations into the case were still ongoing, with the next court appearance scheduled for October 1.
Kabendera is being held at the Segerea prison, a maximum security facility in Dar es Salaam, where overcrowding and poor conditions are prevalent, according to rights groups.
Press freedom in Tanzania has significantly deteriorated since President John Magufuli's election in 2015, with rights groups criticizing the government's actions, including suspending newspapers, arresting opposition leaders, and restricting political rallies.
