Africa-Press – Angola. The Luanda District Court (TCL) began the trial of Gerson Emanuel Quintas “Man Genas” and Clemência Suzeth Vumbi on Tuesday, both accused of defamation, libel, slander and criminal association.
In 2023, the couple accused officers from the National Police, the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), and the Angolan Armed Forces (FAA) of involvement in drug trafficking on social media from Mozambique.
After their arrest in Mozambique, where they were on the run, the SIC stated last year that it investigated the allegations made by the defendants on social media, but “concluded that they were all unfounded.”
In a document drawn up by General Eugénio Laborinho (one of the accused officers), read in court by his assistant, it is alleged that the “injured party does not know and has never had contact with the defendant Man Genas”.
In this case, Eugénio Laborinho’s assistant asked the court that the defendants be convicted of the crimes they claim to have committed, with a sentence of eight (8) years in prison and compensation of five (5) million kwanzas each.
When questioned by the court, Man Gena confirmed that he did not know Eugénio Laborinho and had never had any contact with him, emphasizing that he only reported him online when the general said that the “Police were not involved in illegal activities.”
However, the defendant insisted that “high-ranking police officers” were involved in the drug trade.
Man Genas’ Defense
During the preliminary questions stage, the defendant’s attorney, Gerson Bunga, raised issues related to the case, such as the “excessive pretrial detention” of his client, who had been detained for a year and seven months, that is, in January 2024.
In response, the Public Prosecutor’s Office denied the allegation of excessive pre-trial detention and argued that this case in which the defendant is responding is “a private entity and he, Man Genas, is free”.
“Man Genas” had been living in Mozambique for a year, where he sought refuge due to alleged persecution, but was deported by the Mozambican authorities, considering his illegal entry and presence in that country.
The defendant was deported with his wife and two children, who were released to their family, while he, as the defendant, remains in detention.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office charged “Man Genas” with aggravated robbery and breach of trust, insulting the State, its symbols and agencies, as well as public incitement to commit a crime, defamation, insult, and slander.
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