PEN International welcomes the April 6, 2011 release on bail of reporter Armando José Chicoca, who was sentenced to one year in prison and a heavy fine on defamation charges on March 3. Chicoca was freed on bail of $2,400 following an order by the Angolan Supreme Court. His appeal was initially rejected by a provincial court which said that it had been lodged after the expiration date. His lawyer filed a complaint to the Supreme Court arguing that the last day by which the appeal could be lodged was a holiday and so it had been submitted the following day. PEN welcomes Chicoca’s release, however it remains concerned that he has been convicted solely for reporting on sexual harassment allegations against a judge in the region, which is a clear breach of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Angola is party.

Background Information

On March 3, 2011, Armando José Chicoca, a reporter for various private Angolan newspapers including Folha 8, Agora, and O Apostolado, as well as for the U.S. government-funded broadcaster Voice of America (VOA), was sentenced to one year in prison and a fine of US$2,100 by a court in the southwestern province of Namibe. He was transferred to Comarca Prison in Namibe following sentencing.
 
Chicoca was charged with defamation for reporting on sexual harassment allegations against the presiding judge of the Provincial Court of Namibe. The lawsuit was filed by the judge in question. Chicoca’s defense lawyer was not present during his trial; it is not clear whether or not he was barred from attending. According to his lawyer, Chicoca intended to appeal the ruling.
 
In 2007 Chicoca spent 33 days in prison after police arrested him while he was reporting on protests against the demolition of a street market.

Write A Letter

  • Welcoming the release of reporter Armando José Chicoca;
  • Expressing concern that the conviction against him has not been dropped;
  • Pointing out that his conviction was a clear breach of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Angola is a signatory.

Send Your Letter To

Dr João Maria Moreira de Sousa
Procurador Geral da República
Procuradoria Geral da República
Rua 17 Setembro
Luanda
República de Angola
Fax: + 244 222 333 170 / + 244 222 333 172
Salutation: Excelência

Guilhermina Contreiras da Costa Prata
Ministro da Justiça
Ministério da Justiça
Rua 17 Setembro
Luanda
República de Angola
Fax: +244 222 330 327 / +244 222 338 175
Salutation: Excelência

Please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Angola in your country if possible.

Please check with PEN if sending appeals after May 13, 2011: ftw [at] pen.org