Seventeen people, including a prominent businessman and a former intelligence chief, will stand trial in Cameroon for the brutal killing of outspoken journalist Arsene Salomon Mbani Zogo, known by his pen name “Martinez.”
The discovery of Martinez’s mutilated body in January 2023, just days after his abduction, sent shockwaves through the Central African nation. The 50-year-old radio reporter was a fierce critic of alleged corruption within the government, often directly naming officials in his exposés.
International rights groups have long accused the regime of President Paul Biya, who has ruled for over four decades, of suppressing dissent. This trial marks a significant development, with key figures like Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, a powerful media mogul, facing charges of “complicity in torture” related to Martinez’s death. Belinga’s lawyer maintains the accusation is fabricated.
Maxime Leopold Eko Eko, the former head of Cameroon’s spy agency, and Justin Danwe, the agency’s operations director, are also among those indicted. Eko Eko is accused of complicity in torture, while Danwe faces more serious charges of complicity in murder.
However, many Cameroonians remain skeptical of a fair trial. The country ranks poorly in press freedom, with Reporters Without Borders listing it at 118th out of 180 nations. The case has already seen numerous delays, with Belinga and Eko Eko inexplicably released from custody in December 2023. This led to the appointment of a third investigative judge to handle the proceedings.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes the continued restrictions on free expression in Cameroon, citing the deaths of three independent journalists last year alone. The upcoming trial will be closely watched by the international community, serving as a test of Cameroon’s commitment to justice and press freedom.
