Tanzanian freelance journalist in court over money laundering, tax evasion
DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) — Tanzanian freelance journalist Eric Kabendera on Monday appeared in court charged with money laundering, tax evasion and leading organized crime.
The state prosecution told the Kisutu Resident Magistrate’s Court in the commercial capital Dar es Salaam that on diverse dates between January 2015 and July 2019 in Dar es Salaam, and with other persons not before the court, Kabendera knowingly facilitated a criminal racket.
The prosecution added that the journalist failed to pay taxes amounting to 173.247 million Tanzanian shillings (about 75,362 U.S. dollars) payable to the Tanzania Revenue Authority.
Kabendera was arrested by police last week for questioning over the status of his citizenship.
Lazaro Mambosasa, Dar es Salaam region special zone police commander, said police arrested Kabendera, a freelance for international media outlets, at his home, and denied reports that he was kidnapped.
“We summoned him to come for questioning but he failed to oblige, we were left with no choice but to arrest him,” said Mambosasa.
He added that police were working closely with the Immigration Services Department to determine the citizenship of the journalist.
