Violation of defense rights: Carlos Manuel de São Vicente’s lawyers are in Angola but are not allowed to visit him in prison
Luanda, 25 January 2022 – On the eve of Carlos Manuel de São Vicente’s trial in Luanda, his lawyer François Zimeray is on site but is prevented from visiting his client in prison.
The trial of the Angolan businessman Carlos Manuel de São Vicente will begin tomorrow, 26 January 2022. His lawyer François Zimeray traveled to Angola for this occasion, in order to support his client and ensure an international presence at the trial.
However, notwithstanding a request made in advance to the competent authorities, the lawyer has been denied access to his client in prison.
François Zimeray condemns this additional and serious violation of the rules on fair trial and rights of defense. Every accused should be authorized to meet with their lawyers without restrictions, even more so on the eve of their trial. It is also recalled that Carlos Manuel de São Vicente was notified of his trial only 8 days before the opening, after more than 500 days in detention, in blatant breach of Angolan law.
François Zimeray, who will attend the trial on the opening day, comments: “Despite those additional violations of Carlos Manuel de São Vicente’s fundamental rights, I still want to believe that Angolan justice will judge the case with impartiality and independence and will condemn the numerous breaches of the rules on fair trial that happened too often during the last months”.
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