Germain Rukuki – a Burundian human rights defender – was arrested in 2017 and charged with “threatening state security” and “rebellion” for being an employee of an anti-torture campaign group. In 2018 he was found guilty of an array of fabricated charges and sentenced to 32 years in prison. His wife was heavily pregnant at the time of his arrest and gave birth shortly after.
However, Amnesty International supporters around the world campaigned tirelessly for his freedom. And in June 2021, thanks to the help of amazing people like you, Germain’s sentence was reduced from 32 years to just one, meaning he has been released! He is now reunited with his family and has finally met his youngest son.
Shortly after his release, Germain’s wife Emelyne send a message to Amnesty International supporters: "I am delighted by the release of Germain… from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank all who have mobilised and made it possible for Germain to reunite with us."