Jailed Rwandan YouTube star loses appeal

One of Rwanda’s most popular YouTubers has lost an appeal against a seven-year jail sentence for criticising the government.

Dieudonné Niyonsenga, who also goes by the name “Cyuma Hassan”, was convicted last November of forgery, impersonating a journalist and humiliating state officials.

He had posted videos that accused soldiers of serious abuses against slum dwellers during a coronavirus lockdown.

Neither the YouTuber, nor his lawyer, appeared in court. His father was present at the ruling which upheld the sentence as no new evidence was produced.

Earlier this week, Human Rights Watch accused Rwanda of censoring freedom of speech and called for the immediate release of Niyonsenga and other bloggers, activists and journalists.

The government dismissed the concerns raised by the rights group, saying everyone was equal before the law.

By BBC