Sat 05 October 2019:
A military court in the country’s capital, Yaounde, ordered the former presidential candidate’s release on Saturday at the behest of long-time President Paul Biya, who is under intense international pressure over a sweeping crackdown on opposition parties.
Professor Maurice Kamto, Valsero, Christian Penda Ekoka, Paul Eric Kingue, Albert Nzongang, Michelle Ndoki, Mamadou Mota and 97 other militants of the Cameroon Renaissance movement party have been released.
CRM supporters refer to Maurice Kamto as their president. pic.twitter.com/z5phcR2aAr— Mimi Mefo Info (@Mimimefo237) October 5, 2019
Kamto, the leader of the opposition Movement for the Rebirth of Cameroon, was greeted by hundreds of supporters as he was driven away surrounded by a dozen-strong escort of vehicles
“We note the release of our clients who should not have been in prison. Maurice Kamto is free,” said his lawyer, Sylvain Souop.
Earlier on Thursday, his supporters chanted “Freedom! Freedom! We are free!” as they waited for him outside the court building in the capital, Yaounde. More than 100 members of Kamto’s party were also ordered freed.
Professor Maurice Kamto, Valsero, Christian Penda Ekoka, Paul Eric Kingue, Albert Nzongang, Michelle Ndoki, Mamadou Mota and 97 other militants of the Cameroon Renaissance movement party have been released.
CRM supporters refer to Maurice Kamto as their president. pic.twitter.com/z5phcR2aAr— Mimi Mefo Info (@Mimimefo237) October 5, 2019
The 65-year-old opposition leader had been put on trial in September, along with scores of others, on charges of insurrection, hostility to the motherland and rebellion – crimes which could carry the death penalty.
He had claimed victory in last year’s presidential election, but official figures gave him 14 percent of the vote. Biya, who has ruled Cameroon for nearly 37 years, obtained 71 percent of the vote.
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