Virgile Ahouansè, the Beninese journalist who was summoned and held in custody on 20 December at the criminal brigade, is now free. After his presentation on Thursday 22 December to the special prosecutor at the Court of Repression of Crimes and Terrorism (Criet), he was allowed to return home. However, Virgile Ahouansè has been placed under judicial supervision, as his trial is scheduled for 13 February 2023.
Virgile Ahouansè was originally accused of publishing false information on social networks. Indeed, the journalist and news director of the web radio Crystal News had published an investigation on 14 December on alleged extrajudicial executions by the Republican police in Porto-Novo. In the case in question, the journalist had the merit of collecting the interventions of several people he met in the field. But when taken into custody, these witnesses changed their story, to the great displeasure of the journalist.
Arrested on 20 December, Virgile Ahouansè spent about two days in custody at the criminal brigade before being transferred to the Criet on Thursday morning. However, after a long hearing, the Criet decided to release him and put him under judicial supervision. His trial is scheduled for 13 February 2023, according to our information.
