A court in Benin has sentenced prominent digital activist Steve Amoussou to two years in prison after convicting him for criticizing the government online. Amoussou, who denies the charges, was found guilty of "politically motivated insult" and "spreading false information."
In addition to his prison sentence, the court imposed a fine of two million CFA francs, which is approximately €3,050 or $3,500. Known for his outspoken criticism of President Patrice Talon's administration, Amoussou was arrested in August. His legal team alleges that he was "kidnapped" in neighboring Togo and brought to Benin. His case was tried at the Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism in Cotonou, a judicial body that has recently imposed harsh penalties on political opponents.
Amoussou is believed to operate a well-known online account under the alias “Frère Hounvi,” which has shared audio messages that criticize the Beninese government to an audience of 75,000 followers. He has repeatedly denied being the individual behind the account and has not yet publicly addressed the court's decision.
Initially, he faced charges of “harassment via electronic communication,” “incitement to rebellion,” and “initiating and spreading false information.” Ultimately, Amoussou was convicted on two lesser charges. The prosecution sought a two-year prison sentence, which the court upheld.
After the verdict, Amoussou’s lawyer, Aboubacar Baparape, criticized what he described as the political nature of the case. “The prosecution did not prove that my client was ‘Frère Hounvi,’” he told AFP. “This case has significant political implications.”
The activist has 15 days to file an appeal. In recent years, Benin has experienced a growing crackdown on dissent, resulting in harsh penalties for numerous opposition leaders. Earlier this year, in a different case, two former high-ranking officials—ex-presidential adviser Olivier Boko and former sports minister Oswald Homeky—were each sentenced to 20 years in prison for "conspiracy against the authority of the state."
