Thousands marched through Burundi's capital today in one of the largest demonstrations in recent years after the release of a popular journalist and government critic from jail, months ahead of key elections. Vast crowds singing and dancing filled the streets of Bujumbura a day after Bob Rugurika, director of the popular independent AfricanPublic Radio (RPA), was released from prison on bail.
There was no official figure for how many people who took to the streets, but residents said the mass rally of tens of thousands was the largest they could remember.
Rugurika was jailed for "complicity" in the murder of three Italian nuns, after interviewing one of the men who claimed he partook in the killing of the nuns, but Police say they have a different report, and arrested the popular journalist.
His arrest however sparked protests by civil rights activists and fellow journalists, who accused the government of doing all it can to sideline political challengers ahead of elections in May and June, including arrests, harassment and a clampdown on free speech.
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