Burundi temporarily frees RFI journalist

Radio France International journalist Hassan Ruvakuki, who was jailed for terrorism in Burundi, was freed so he could receive medical care, officials said. Ruvakuki, RFI's Swahili correspondent, was temporarily released Wednesday and said he was looking forward to seeing his family and daughter who was born while he was in jail. "RFI hopes that Burundi's judiciary will confirm this provisional liberation in granting the journalist parole as has been requested and to which he has a legal right," an RFI statement said. Ruvakuki was arrested in November 2011 and was given a life sentence in June 2012, RFI reported. The charges came after Ruvakuki visited rebels in Tanzania to report on their activities. But the action led to accusations that he helped them plan an attack on Burundi, RFI said. In January, his jail term was reduced to three years after his conviction was changed from terrorism to membership of a gang, RFI said.