Kinshasa, May 25, 2023.
Mr. Chrétien LIAMBA ISAMBOLE, originally from Bohema in the Bolesa Group, Yahuma Territory, Tshopo Province, died on May 13, 2023 in the Kisangani prison, allegedly as a result of an illness that began during his detention there.
PHC expresses its sincere condolences to the family of the deceased. At the request of the family, the company organized the repatriation of the remains of the deceased so that he could be buried in his village of Bohema.
The deceased was arrested on October 25, 2022 near the village of Yakote (Bolesa Group) during a police raid in response to a denunciation by Yakote residents who complained of numerous crimes perpetrated by an organized criminal network. This criminal network had put up armed and violent resistance to the police, but the latter had succeeded in disarming them. Those arrested were transferred to the Yangambi Public Prosecutor's Office, and some individuals were then transferred to the Kisangani Public Prosecutor's Office where they were tried and sentenced.
PHC sincerely deplores this loss of human life which took place while the detainee was in custody. It should be recalled that at the end of the ICM mediation session (Independent Complaints Review Mechanism) between the company and local communities on March 24, 2023 in Kisangani, PHC's Chief Operating Officer, who led the company's delegation to the mediation, publicly addressed a request to the Vice-Governor of Tshopo that the detainees from PHC's neighboring communities be released, as was agreed upon during the said mediation. It should be noted, however, that the release of detainees is a legal process that is not under the control of the company.
The company reiterates its desire for a harmonious and peaceful coexistence with neighboring communities, and reaffirms its commitment to work towards shared prosperity through agribusiness for all stakeholders, in line with the vision of PHC's new leadership.