UPDATES FROM THE COURT ON THE CASE OF TITO ELIA MAGOTI AND THEODORY FAUSTIN GIYAN

After almost five days under police custody, Tito Magoti and Theodory Giyan have been arraigned at Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court today December 24, 2019. They have been charged with three offenses under the Economic Organized Crimes case no 137 of 2019. As per charge sheet, the two face three counts that are leading an organized criminal racket, possession of a computer program designed to commit an offence and money laundering. The offenses which are unbailable. This means Tito and Gyan will spend their Christmas and new year in the pre-detention facility at Segerea in Dar es Salaam waiting for their case to be mentioned before the court on January 7, 2020.

Speaking to his lawyer, Mr. Tito briefly shared what transpired from day one. According to Tito, Giyan was arrested a day before (December 19, 2019). Mr Giyan was forced through his mobile phone to lure Tito to a location where he was abducted. They were both handcuffed and blindfolded. Tito was then transferred into several police stations including TAZARA and MBWENI while Giyan spent his time in Kilwa Road Police Station before being brought before the court.

Moreover, Tito shared that during his detention he was questioned about his online activism and involvement with Maria Tsehai Sarungi, Fatma Karume and Zitto Kabwe; all being active citizens and socio-political activists. They were both surprised on the charges brought in today because they are quite inconsistent with the interrogation conducted.

Tito and Theodory were presumed to be kidnapped before the police came out to acknowledge holding them, five hours after the public outcry. Even after the police declared to have arrested Tito and other three, they never disclosed stations in which Tito and other suspects were being held, neither granting bail nor allowing them to access their family members and lawyers.

We believe eventually, Justice shall prevail.

Issued on this 24th day of December 2019

Legal and Human Rights Centre