Burundi journalist arrested after embezzlement story

A Burundian radio journalist, who reported on misuse of public funds in the country. has been arrested.

Blaise Pascal Kararumiye was arrested on Thursday, his employer Radio Isanganiro told the BBC.

The authorities have not disclosed the charges against the journalist and he was interrogated without a lawyer, station director Sylvere Ntakarutimana added.

Radio is the main source of information for many Burundians. Most privately-owned stations were shut after a 2015 coup attempt and have stayed closed, says Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Some journalists have fled the country.

In October 2019, four journalists of the privately-owned newspaper Iwacu were arrested while interviewing residents in the north-western Bubanza province following an attack by a rebel group. They remain in police custody.