Sandra Muhoza, a journalist for the online newspaper La Nova Burundi, has been provisionally released after nearly two years in prison. Her release was ordered by the public prosecutor at the court of appeal in the northern Ngozi region, who stipulated conditions for her release, including remaining in the province and reporting regularly to authorities. The Committee to Protect Journalists has welcomed her release and urges Burundian authorities to allow her appeal against her conviction without opposition.

Muhoza was originally arrested in April 2024 on serious charges, including undermining the nation's territorial integrity and inciting ethnic hatred through comments made in a journalists' WhatsApp group. In January 2026, she was sentenced to four years in prison. Her conviction and the circumstances leading to her arrest have raised concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists in Burundi, a country with a troubling history regarding media rights and freedom of expression.

The case has sparked international attention with calls for the Burundian government to respect journalistic independence and dissenting voices in the media. Sandra's appeal is set for March 20, and as her situation continues to unfold, the outcome may significantly impact not only her future but also press freedom in the region.