François Beya: a release and many questions

Temporarily released for health reasons, the former "Mister Intelligence" of the DRC, François Beya, should go to Paris to be hospitalized there. But his trial continues.

Since yesterday, François Beya Kasonga is free. Félix Tshisekedi's ex-“Monsieur Intelligence”, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), had been arrested last February by the National Intelligence Agency (ANR). A case with dark outlines… We had to wait the opening of the trial of François Beya, four months after his arrest, to know that the latter was accused of conspiracy against the head of state.

Congolese observers believed, at the time, that François Beya was in fact at the heart of a "palace war", Tshisekedi having launched a major clean-up among the "securocrats". Other hypotheses had been formulated, such as the consequences of the mysterious death of the former head of military intelligence, Delphin Kahimbi, who committed suicide in February 2020 after being questioned by François Beya, or a case of mining conflict between Beya and another adviser to the president, Fortunat Biselele.

Still, the former strongman of Congolese intelligence is still officially prosecuted for "conspiracy and offense" against the president. But since Tuesday August 16, he has been temporarily free. Indeed, the High Military Court of the DRC granted Beya provisional release, for health reasons, after a detention of more than six months. In the greatest discretion, Beya had already been taken to the Ngaliema clinic.

And Beya should quickly leave the country. According AfricaIntelligence, the Congolese would be expected in Paris this weekend, to be treated at the American hospital, not far from the French capital. A trip that was not easy to set up. "His release is the result of a long plea led by the Beya clan, jointly with African and Western chancelleries," the newspaper said.

A medical trip to France

Hence the decision of the military judges, who therefore justify their decision on humanitarian grounds. The Military Court has, upstream, appointed a medical team, which examined the former adviser to the presidency on several occasions. It emerged from the examinations that Beya was seriously ill. She therefore recommended prompt treatment.

But this trip for health reasons to France will not be the epilogue of the trial which, according to the magistrates, should not be delayed. Following negotiations between the Beya clan and the country's judicial authorities, non-negotiable conditions were imposed on the accused: a ban on Beya speaking about his case to the press; Beya's obligation to respond to summonses from judges; and, finally, the obligation for him to notify the court in the event of departure abroad. What should therefore have been done to allow François Beya to go to France.

On the defense side, it is assured that "there will be no hindrance, on the part of Mr. François Beya, as to the smooth running of the trial", and that his hospitalization, supposedly in France, will not have any impact on audiences. The other defendants, who had also requested medical examinations, will remain behind bars after requesting provisional release.