afrol News, 11 May - Marie-Therese Nlandu, a citizen of the Democratic Republic of Congo has escaped death by firing squad. She was also freed from going to jail for 50 years, which was an option to the firing squad.

Mrs Nlandu returned to Congo in 2006 to participate in the Presidential polls won by Joseph Kabila. Her arrest resulted in November after she had protested the results at the court last November.

Mrs Nlandu, a lawyer by profession, was arrested and incarcerated by Congolese authorities who later charged her with a crime that could have sent her to the firing squad if found guilty.

A consortium of right activists and the family of the 54-year-old lawyer had been campaigning against her continued detention. They accused the Kinshasa government of persecuting the woman for expressing her right to exercise political views.

Her family celebrated her freedom with joy and said she would soon reunite with them in the United Kingdom.

Her husband, Noel Mbala, could not control tears from rolling on his cheeks as he attempted to send words of gratefulness to all those who have been in solidarity with him throughout their five months of pain and stress. He said his wife’s health had been deteriorated by the prison detention.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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