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Beninese cyberactivist Steve Amoussou, who has been jailed since August 2024, denied running an online account critical of the government during a brief court hearing on Monday.
Amoussou, accused of spreading false news and inciting rebellion, was allegedly kidnapped in Togo before being taken into custody in Benin, according to his lawyers. His trial before the Court for the Repression of Economic Offenses and Terrorism (CRIET) has faced multiple delays.
Authorities suspect Amoussou of being “Frere (Brother) Hounvi”, an anonymous online figure who shared viral audio content criticising President Patrice Talon’s government with an audience of 75,000 subscribers. Talon, in power since 2016, has faced growing accusations of authoritarian rule in a country once regarded as a model of democracy.
Charged with harassment via electronic communication, spreading false news, and inciting rebellion, Amoussou insisted in court that he had no ties to the Brother Hounvi account. “I do not know who started the Frere Hounvi page,” he stated, denying any involvement in social media activities.
However, the prosecutor argued that Amoussou had previously admitted to being behind the account. The trial was postponed until April 7.
CRIET has issued severe sentences against government critics in recent years. Just weeks ago, Olivier Boko, a former ally of Talon, and Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, were sentenced to 20 years in prison for “conspiracy against the authority of the state.” They, along with Boko’s brother-in-law Rock Nieri, were ordered to pay 60 billion CFA francs ($95 million) in damages to the state.
Other notable opposition figures have also faced harsh punishments. In 2021, politician Reckya Madougou was sentenced to 20 years for “complicity in terrorist acts,” while law professor Joël Aivo received a 10-year prison term.
