This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
Published on November 5, 2019, a Tanzanian journalist, Eric Kabendera, is facing money laundering and tax evasion charges. He is now considering a plea bargain to speed up his case.
According to The Times, Kabendera's health has been deteriorating since his arrest in July. His lawyers fear that it could take years for his case to be heard and determined, given the lack of automatic entitlement to bail for economic crimes.
President John Magufuli has previously offered amnesty to prisoners accused of economic crimes in return for guilty pleas. This move has been seen as a way to ease prison crowding and raise money for state spending, although some speculate that it is a means of saving face.
Kabendera's sister, Prisca, maintains that he is innocent. However, Kabendera himself has expressed a willingness to admit wrongdoing if it means a quicker resolution to his case.
Prisca stated, 'He has said the accusations against him are untrue, but if he must plead guilty to charges in order to be free, it seems he might just accept any deal. That's how desperate he is.'
