Côte d'Ivoire: libération d'un membre du parti de Gbagbo (avocate)
A member of the party of former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo, who was sentenced last year to 18 months in prison notably for "spreading false news", was released on Wednesday, AFP learned from his lawyer.
Gala Kolebi, a sociologist and activist in charge of communication for the Party of African Peoples - Ivory Coast (PPA-CI), was arrested at the end of December 2024 for publications on social networks in which he accused the authorities of violence against prisoners.
He was sentenced in June 2025 to 18 months in prison for "spreading false news likely to discredit institutions and harm public morale", as well as for "disturbing public order".
Mr. Kolebi "was released late last night" after serving his sentence, said his lawyer, Ms. Roselyne Aka-Serikpa.
"I am happy that he is released but we are going to launch a procedure to ensure that the conviction is removed from his criminal record," she added.
His release was confirmed to AFP by one of his relatives.
"I am happy, I am well, I passed the moment with dignity," Gala Kolebi told AFP on Wednesday morning.
"I find the conviction much more political than legal," he stated, adding that the appeal trial requested by his defense had not yet taken place.
Several members of Laurent Gbagbo's party and other opposition groups were arrested, charged or convicted in 2025, the year of a tense presidential election in Ivory Coast.
Commentaires (0)
Participer à la Discussion
Règles de la communauté :
💡 Astuce : Utilisez des emojis depuis votre téléphone ou le module emoji ci-dessous. Cliquez sur GIF pour ajouter un GIF animé. Collez un lien X/Twitter, TikTok ou Instagram pour l'afficher automatiquement.