According to Esdras Ndikumana, (pictured above), who is a reporter with AFP, he was taking photos at the scene of the assassination of Burundian top general on Sunday in the capital Bujumbura when he was arrested by members of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) and taken to their office where he was subjected to severe beatings on his back, legs and the soles of his feet. They also broke his finger. He was later released and hospitalized...
"We will seek explanations from the authorities in Burundi and an assurance that such an incident will not happen again. Our correspondent must be able to continue to carry out his work in complete safety" Michele Leridon, AFP's Global news director said in a statement.
The political crisis in Burundi has seen many independent media outlets shut down and many journalists have fled the country or have gone into hiding because of threats and attacks.
