The family of Judge Raphael Yanyi have rejected the report by Justice Minister Tunda Ya Kasenda, which revealed that the Judge died from hemorrhage (bleeding) after receiving a beating on the head. The report also said that a toxic substance was found in his body but that it was not lethal.
The family however refused to believe the outcome of the report arguing that it may have been tempered with, due to political pressure. According to them, Judge Yanyi could have not been physically assaulted as he was always accompanied by his driver. The family now wants international experts, independent from government, to conduct another autopsy.
An earlier report from the Attorney General in the Appeal Court of Gombe Kinshasa, had determined that the Judge died from poisoning, this after a substance was found in his body. The report however could not tell the nature of such substance.
Judge Raphael Yanyi rose to prominence after he was appointed the President Judge in the corruption trial of Vital Kamerhe, Chief of Staff of President Felix Tshisekedi; the trial had gained major public interest and was seen as an historical move, by Congo's justice system, to hold high profiled politicians accountable.
The fact that the Judge died during the course of the trial raised suspicions of foul play, which prompted authorities to expedite the performance of an autopsy.
Sentencing on the Kamerhe trial is due on the 20th of June 2020; the State has pleaded for a 20 year sentence for the accused.
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