Steve Amoussou Release: Benin CRIET Frees Cyber Activist After 2-Year Term

• Beninese cyber activist Steve Amoussou was released on August 20, 2026, after serving a two-year prison sentence.
• His conviction by the CRIET stemmed from charges related to a Facebook page, "Frère Hounvi," which allegedly published critical government content.
• Amoussou was abducted in Togo and forcibly transferred to Benin, where he faced charges including "harassment via electronic communication" and "incitement to rebellion."
• The CRIET Court of Appeal upheld his two-year prison term and a two-million CFA franc fine on December 15, 2025.
• The Media Foundation for West Africa has voiced serious concerns about the case, advocating for robust digital rights and adherence to international free expression standards in Benin.

This incident, involving a Benin cyber activist release after a contentious prosecution, underscores the need for authorities to refrain from employing criminal statutes to suppress critical viewpoints on matters of public interest.

Beninese cyber activist Steve Amoussou regained his freedom on August 20, 2026, following the completion of a two-year prison term. His incarceration stemmed from allegations that he created and managed a Facebook page which featured content critical of the government led by then-President Patrice Talon. The circumstances surrounding his initial detention raised significant concerns, beginning on August 12, 2024, when unidentified individuals abducted Amoussou in Lomé, Togo. He was subsequently transported across the border into Benin and placed under police custody at the Economic and Financial Brigade (BEF).

Eight days after his cross-border transfer, on August 20, 2024, Amoussou was presented before the Special Prosecutor at Benin's Court for the Repression of Economic Offences and Terrorism (CRIET). He faced a series of charges, including "harassment via electronic communication," "incitement to rebellion," and "initiating and spreading false information." Following this initial appearance, he was remanded to pre-trial detention at Akpro-Missérété Prison. The core of the prosecution's case revolved around a Facebook page known as "Frère Hounvi," which reportedly shared critical audio messages targeting the government and had amassed a following of 75,000 users. Throughout the legal proceedings, Amoussou consistently denied any ownership or management of the page, a stance his legal team also maintained.

The judicial process saw Steve Amoussou convicted on June 2, 2025, by the CRIET, which found him guilty of "politically motivated insult" and "initiating and disseminating false news." The initial sentence imposed was two years in prison along with a fine of two million CFA francs, equivalent to approximately USD 3,540. However, this was not the final legal determination, as the special prosecutor of the CRIET subsequently lodged an appeal, disputing the specific offenses for which the first-instance court had convicted him.

At the appeal hearing held on December 1, 2025, the special prosecutor advocated for a revised legal classification of the charges. He requested that the court find Amoussou guilty of "harassment via electronic communication," "publication of false news," and "direct incitement to rebellion." The CRIET Court of Appeal delivered its verdict on December 15, 2025, concurring with the prosecutor's revised classifications. The appellate court found Steve Amoussou guilty of "harassment via electronic communication," "publication of false news," and "direct incitement to rebellion," while upholding both the two-year prison sentence and the two-million CFA franc fine. Amoussou had already spent nearly a year in pre-trial detention at the time of his conviction, remaining incarcerated for the full duration of his two-year sentence until his release.

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) has acknowledged the Steve Amoussou release Benin CRIET case's conclusion, welcoming his freedom after two years of detention. However, the organization has simultaneously expressed profound apprehension regarding the circumstances surrounding his abduction in Togo, his subsequent forcible transfer to Benin, and the entire process of his prosecution and imprisonment. These concerns are particularly acute given that the charges were linked to content allegedly disseminated via the "Frère Hounvi" Facebook page, which Amoussou consistently disavowed owning or managing.

The MFWA has reiterated its urgent appeal to Beninese authorities to ensure the full protection of freedom of expression and digital rights within the nation. The organization specifically calls for strict adherence to due process and fundamental rights in all cases involving cross-border transfers and criminal proceedings. This incident, involving a Benin cyber activist release after a contentious prosecution, underscores the need for authorities to refrain from employing criminal statutes to suppress critical viewpoints on matters of public interest.

The Media Foundation for West Africa emphasizes that any restrictions on freedom of expression must align with Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). This international standard mandates that such restrictions must be prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim, and be both necessary and proportionate to that aim. The broad interpretation of charges like 'harassment via electronic communication' and 'incitement to rebellion' by the CRIET in this case serves as a critical reminder for legal professionals advising clients in Benin.

This case highlights the significant risks associated with online expression, particularly criticism of government, and underscores potential compliance exposures related to digital content. Lawyers must be aware of the expansive scope under which such charges can be applied and the importance of advocating for due process and adherence to international human rights standards, such as ICCPR Article 19, when representing individuals facing digital rights prosecution in Benin.

This case serves as a critical reminder for lawyers advising clients in Benin on the significant risks associated with online expression, particularly criticism of government. It underscores the broad interpretation of charges like 'harassment via electronic communication' and 'incitement to rebellion' by the CRIET, highlighting potential compliance exposures related to digital content and the importance of advocating for due process and adherence to international standards like ICCPR Article 19.

Source: Original reporting via regional human rights reporting