This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4qlqxx9qlo

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Boniface Mwangi: Tanzania frees activist after Kenyan government's demand Agather Atuhaire freed hours after Boniface Mwangi following Tanzania detention
(1 day later)
Boniface Mwangi was arrested in Dar es Salaam on Monday Agather Atuhaire is yet to speak about her ordeal while in Tanzania custody
An activist detained in Tanzania for three days has been released shortly after Kenya's foreign ministry demanded his release. A Ugandan activist who was arrested and held for days in Tanzania has been found at the border between the two countries with "indications of torture," her rights group says.
A top official in the ministry, Korir Sing'oei, said on X that Boniface Mwangi was "now back in the country". Agather Atuhaire had been held incommunicado in Tanzania alongside fellow Kenyan activist Boniface Mwangi, who was on Thursday found at the border with his home country.
Lawyer and fellow activist, Khalid Hussein, told the BBC they were together in Kenya's coast region. "We had been tortured, and we were told to strip naked and to go bathe. We couldn't walk and were told to crawl and go wash off the blood," Mwangi said in a post on X.
The Kenyan activist was arrested in Dar es Salaam on Monday alongside Ugandan Agather Atuhaire by suspected military officers and their whereabouts remained unknown. The two had gone to Tanzania to show solidarity with opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who appeared in court on Monday after being charged with treason.
They had been in the country to attend the court case of opposition leader Tundu Lissu, who is accused of treason. Despite being allowed into the country, Mwangi and Atuhaire were not permitted to attend the hearing and were arrested.
The Tanzanian authorities have not commented on Mwangi's detention and deportation. Tanzania's government has not commented on the torture claims.
But on Monday, President Samia Suluhu Hassan warned that she would not allow activists from neighbouring countries to "meddle" in her country's affairs and cause "chaos". But President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Monday warned that she would not allow activists from neighbouring countries to "meddle" in her country's affairs and cause "chaos".
On Thursday night, Atuhaire was found abandoned at the border by Tanzanian authorities after being held in custody since Monday, Agora Centre for Research, the Uganda-based rights group that she leads, posted on X.
Uganda's high commissioner to Tanzania Fred Mwesigye said Atuhaire had "safely returned home" and had been "warmly received by her family".
She had visibly swollen legs, allegedly resulting from torture during her detention, Ugandan local media reported, citing her close friends.
"She was dumped at the border at night by the authorities and there are indications of torture," fellow activist at Agora Centre for Research Spire Ssentongo told AFP news agency.
Mwangi, who was earlier found abandoned on a roadside in northern Tanzania near the Kenyan border, said he had heard Atuhaire "groaning in pain" when they were held together on Tuesday.
"Any attempt to speak to each other during the night we were tortured was met with kicks and insults. We were removed from the torture location in different vehicles," Mwangi added.
He said those who were holding them were getting orders from a "state security" official, who directed the activist to be given a "Tanzanian treatment".
Atuhaire is yet to talk about her reported ordeal.
Mwangi's disappearance had sparked widespread concern across Kenya, with his family, civil society and human rights groups staging protests and demanding his release.
On Wednesday, the Kenyan government formally protested against his detention, accusing Tanzanian authorities of denying consular access despite repeated requests.
Earlier on Thursday, Kenya's foreign affairs ministry issued a statement saying it had not been able to access the activist.Earlier on Thursday, Kenya's foreign affairs ministry issued a statement saying it had not been able to access the activist.
It said that despite repeated requests, it had been "denied consular access" or information about him, and expressed concern about his health. Regional rights groups have called for an investigation into the alleged mistreatment of the activists by the Tanzanian authorities and urged all East African countries to uphold rights treaties.
It urged Tanzania to "expeditiously and without delay" allow access, or release him, "in accordance with international legal obligations and diplomatic norms".
Later, Kenya's state-funded rights commission said it had received the activist in Kwale county, following his release from Tanzania.
KNCHR posted a picture of him alongside other people including his wife, Njeri, and fellow activist Hussein and said he was "in high spirits". The commission said it was planning to transfer him to the capital Nairobi for medical attention.
The activist was reportedly left at the Kenyan border on Thursday morning following his release by the Tanzanian authorities.
Kenya's state-funded rights body shared a picture of Mwangi (centre) on ThursdayKenya's state-funded rights body shared a picture of Mwangi (centre) on Thursday
On Wednesday, his wife told the BBC that she had last heard from him on Monday and had not been able to establish where he was.
"I'm actually concerned for his life. I know my husband, he would have communicated, he'd find a way to call or text me and because he hasn't, makes me very worried about what state he is in," she told the BBC Newsday radio programme.
Kenya's foreign ministry on Thursday expressed similar concerns about the activist's "health, overall well-being and the absence of information regarding his detention".
It said diplomats should have access to their nationals detained by a host nation in accordance with the Vienna Convention on consular relations.
"In light of the above, the [ministry] respectfully urges the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania to expeditiously and without delay facilitate consular access to or release Mr Mwangi," it said.
Its statement came amid growing outrage, especially after Tanzania's deportation of former Kenyan justice minister Martha Karua and other activists, who had also gone to attend Lissu's hearing, over the weekend.
In recent months, rights groups have been expressing concern at the apparent crackdown on Tanzania's opposition ahead of elections in October.
Additional reporting by Laillah Mohamed in Nairobi
You may also be interested in:You may also be interested in:
X restricted in Tanzania after police targeted by hackersX restricted in Tanzania after police targeted by hackers
Why Samia's hesitant reforms are fuelling Tanzanian political angerWhy Samia's hesitant reforms are fuelling Tanzanian political anger
'Manhandled and choked' - Tanzanian activist recounts abduction'Manhandled and choked' - Tanzanian activist recounts abduction
The Tanzanians searching for their grandfathers' skulls in GermanyThe Tanzanians searching for their grandfathers' skulls in Germany
Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.
Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafricaFollow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica