On January 1st, 2020, as the city of Kinshasa quietly welcomed the new year, Gédéon’s life changed forever.
He was just 17 at the time. Orphaned at a young age, the youngest of six siblings, he is a construction worker on a site in the Gombe commune to make ends meet. That evening, around 8 p.m., he was walking home from work — tired, but relieved to have finished his shift.
He didn’t know it yet, but he wouldn’t make it home that night.
Just a few steps from his house, he came across a young man being chased by an angry crowd. The boy was caught and thrown to the ground. Gédéon, who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, was arrested too. Without understanding why, he was beaten and taken to the police station.
The next day, the victim of the assault — a military officer — came to the station. He clearly identified the man who had attacked him and confirmed that Gédéon was not present during the incident, which had taken place the previous night on the terrace of a restaurant. Still, both young men were transferred to the military prosecutor’s office for questioning.
A few days later, the real perpetrator’s parents paid the military officer $300 in compensation and an additional $100 to secure their son’s release.
Gédéon had no one. No parents. No money. No one to speak on his behalf.
On January 7th, he was transferred to Ndolo military prison. A few weeks later, on February 2nd, he was moved to Makala Prison. He would remain there for over two years, without trial, without an arrest warrant, and without ever seeing a judge.
Our intervention
In July 2021, following our intervention with the Kinkole Public Prosecutor’s Office, a magistrate finally visited Makala Prison. There, he uncovered the shocking reality of Gédéon’s situation: a completely unlawful detention, prolonged in total disregard of due process.
On September 22nd, 2021, Gédéon was summoned to appear before the Kinshasa/Gombe High Court. He was charged with assault and battery with extortion — a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison. He was asked to appear voluntarily, without legal representation. He refused. He knew he deserved a proper defense.
After several delays, our lawyers were finally granted access to the case file and able to defend him in court.
On December 22nd, 2021, the case enters in deliberation.
On March 22nd, 2022, the verdict was announced: Gédéon is acquitted.
He walked out of Makala Prison on April 12th, 2022.
One story among thousands
Gédéon is free now.
But he will never forget those two stolen years — years filled with fear, humiliation, and abandonment.
His story is just one among thousands of young Congolese who are arbitrarily arrested, denied legal defense, and left to languish in prison without trial.
This is why we fight — every single day.
So that no Congolese citizen is forgotten behind bars.
And so that no one is ever stripped of their dignity.
Support our work
Help us provide legal aid, psychosocial support, and a path to dignity for those wrongfully imprisoned.