On August 2, the day after Benin’s national holiday, Patrice Talon issued two decrees to pardon more than 400 common law prisoners and, above all, 27 opposition activists arrested and tried after the electoral violence of 2019 and 2021. But two opposition figures seem to have been forgotten. The exclusion of opposition parties and candidates from the legislative and presidential elections had caused unrest at the time.
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With our correspondent in Cotonou, Jean-Luc Aplogan
The list of 27 opposition activists who received the pardon was the most consulted. They were serving sentences ranging from 38 months to 10 years in prison. They had been convicted by the Court for the Repression of Offenses (Criet) among other things for ” participation in armed gathering, attack or complicity in attacking the integrity of the territory “.
” I wish they had been granted amnesty. »
Me Victorien Fadé, one of their counsels, points out that among them, some had almost finished their sentence. On the other hand, he welcomes, with regret, the release of the others. It is a great joy for me, for those who are students among them, they will be able to resume their studies. I would have liked them to be amnestied, because the presidential pardon does not clear their criminal record. Their criminal record is not clean. »
The dynamics of easing must continue and Me Fadé is thinking of two major figures, Reckya Madougou And Joel Aïvo. They are not among those pardoned. They are still in prison: “ I would have liked them to get out first, to regain their freedom, to join their families, they still have minor children. If they do not have amnesty, they will be able to join their families. »
Opposition parties and former heads of state Boni Yayi and Nicéphore Soglo continue to call on President Talon for their release.