/ / MOZAMBIQUE VICTORY: JOURNALIST’S SEIZED WORK EQUIPMENT RETURNED

MOZAMBIQUE VICTORY: JOURNALIST’S SEIZED WORK EQUIPMENT RETURNED

UA: 70.26

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Good News! On September 18, Mozambican journalist Estácio Valoi received back the electronic equipment that had been seized by the authorities on June 16, 2026. The equipment, which included phones and a laptop, had been retained in connection with an ongoing criminal investigation. On September 9, the Judicial Court of Pemba ordered the seizure measure to be revoked and the devices returned, finding that the investigative steps that had justified their retention had already been completed and that there were no longer grounds to maintain the measure.

NO FURTHER ACTION REQUESTED. MANY THANKS TO THOSE WHO SENT APPEALS

On June 16, officers of Mozambique’s National Criminal Investigation Service seized the work equipment of investigative journalist Estácio Valoi from his home in Pemba, Cabo Delgado province, as part of criminal proceedings against him linked to his reporting on environmental crime. The search and seizure warrant did not provide any factual or legal justification for the confiscation of the devices, which have to date yet to be returned. The continued confiscation prevents Estácio Valoi from carrying out his work and risks undermining the confidentiality of his journalistic sources.

The Mozambican authorities must immediately return Estácio Valoi’s personal equipment unless they can demonstrate before a competent court that its continued retention is lawful, necessary, and proportionate.

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Step 1

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Sample Letter

Dear Prosecutor General,

I am concerned about the criminal proceedings instituted against investigative journalist Estácio Valoi and the continued seizure of his work equipment.

Estácio Valoi is an investigative journalist and editor of the online publication Moz24h. For over 10 years, he has reported on environmental crime, illegal logging, corruption, and the conflict in Cabo Delgado province, which has been under attacks since 2017.

On June 16, 2026, National Criminal Investigation Service officers searched his home in Pemba and seized his laptop, two mobile phones, and a tablet. The search warrant reportedly did not state the factual or legal grounds for the seizure. On June 26, Estácio Valoi complied with a request from the Public Prosecutor’s Office and unlocked his devices. The authorities have yet to return his equipment to him. Also of concern is the fact that Estácio Valoi has reported indications that one of his devices appears to have been used to access his email account without his authorization. The authorities have not publicly responded to these allegations.

I urge you to immediately return Estácio Valoi’s work equipment unless a competent court determines, through a reasoned decision, that its continued retention is lawful, strictly necessary, and proportionate. Any access to or examination of his electronic devices must require separate prior judicial authorization, be based on clearly identified facts and a recognized criminal offense and fully protect the confidentiality of journalistic sources and material.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

Step 2

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Prosecutor General of the Republic

Américo Julião Letela

Av. Vladimir Lenine nr. 121, Maputo, Mozambique

[email protected]

and

CC: Embassy of Mozambique in the United States

Send a copy of your letter to the address below

Ambassador Alfredo Fabião Nuvunga

1525 New Hampshire Avenue, NW,

Washington DC 20036

[email protected] [email protected]

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