Beninese cyberactivist Steve Amoussou, currently imprisoned since August 2024, has denied allegations that he ran an anonymous online account critical of the government. Amoussou, accused of spreading false news and inciting rebellion, was detained after allegedly being “kidnapped” from neighbouring Togo, according to his legal team. His trial before the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET) has been repeatedly postponed.
Amoussou is suspected of being the voice behind “Frere Hounvi” (Brother Hounvi), a popular anonymous columnist who published viral audio messages critical of President Patrice Talon’s government. Talon, in power since 2016, has faced increasing criticism for authoritarian policies, which some say have undermined Benin’s once-praised democratic institutions.
The case comes amidst a broader crackdown on dissent in Benin. Recently, former allies of President Talon, including Olivier Boko and Oswald Homeky, were sentenced to 20 years in prison for “conspiracy against the authority of the state.” Boko’s brother-in-law, Rock Nieri, was also sentenced in absentia.
As the trial continues to unfold, concerns about press freedom and political repression in Benin grow, with Amoussou’s case becoming a symbol of broader tensions under Talon’s regime.
Source: AFP
