Gabonese journalist Freddy Koula awaits crucial court decision in public insult case
via Gabon Review5 min read
Gabonese journalist Freddy Koula Moussavou faces a critical judicial step on Friday, July 3, 2026, before the Court of Cassation. He was sentenced on appeal to six months in prison, three of which are firm, for "public insults." His lawyers are requesting a stay of execution, arguing that the conviction disregards the Communication Code and raises concerns about press freedom in Gabon. The request for a stay of execution will be examined at 11 AM in the chambers of the first president of the Court of Cassation, Julienne Nzamba Massounga. Koula's defense contends that the appellate decision is incompatible with Law No. 019/2016, which decriminalizes press offenses in Gabon. They assert that the statements in question were made in a professional context during a broadcast on Gabon 1ère, where Koula was analyzing a press conference by the president of the Gabonese Football Federation Fegafoot, Pierre-Alain Mounguengui. The defense also highlights Article 40 of the Communication Code, which defines a journalist, and notes Koula's recognized career in international media, his press card from Gabonese authorities, and his role as a consultant for Radio France Internationale RFI. His lawyers argue that Article 41 requires journalists to report and analyze matters of public interest, making his statements part of his normal professional duties. This case has sparked a broader debate on press freedom, with media professionals and supporters questioning the implications of a prison sen
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