Africa News

Amnesty demands probe into Congolese activist's death

Jun 3, 2010, 11:22 GMT

Nairobi/Kinshasa - Amnesty International has called for a probe into the death of a Congolese rights activist, who was found dead in the back of his car on Wednesday.

Floribert Chebeya, who headed Voice of the Voiceless, last contacted his family on Tuesday night after leaving the office of the chief of police in the capital Kinshasa.

His partially clothed body was found the next day.

'We are stunned and appalled by the suspicious death of such a prominent and respected human rights defender,' Veronique Aubert, deputy director of Amnesty International's Africa Program, said in a statement.

'Floribert has been arrested and harassed by the authorities in the past,' she added. 'It seems he may have paid the ultimate price for his valuable work.'

Chebeya had complained of police threats and said that he believed he was being followed by the security services.

On Tuesday, he was summoned to police headquarters, although it is unclear if the meeting with the chief took place.

Rights groups have accused the Congolese authorities of becoming increasingly repressive.