20101113
africanews

Trial opened Friday in Kinshasa for eight police officers accused of the murder of leading Congolese human rights activist Floribert Chebeya last June. Chebeya, who headed the prominent human rights organisation La Voix des Sans Voix (VSV - The Voice of the Voiceless), disappeared on June 1 after going to police headquarters in Kinshasa.

He was found dead the following day, tied up on the back seat of his car on the outskirts of the capital.

His driver, Fidele Bazana, was never found. VSV staff believe that both men were murdered.

Five of the eight accused, who are standing trial include head of special services Colonel Daniel Mukalay, with Major Georges Kitungwa and Lieutenant François Ngoy, said reports out of DRC.