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POISINING OF JOURNALIST MUST BE INVESTIGATED

Mozambique UA 72.25

On July 27, journalist Selma Inocência Marivate reported to Amnesty International that she suspects she may have been poisoned with heavy metals during a work trip to Maputo, Mozambique’s capital, in March 2025. Shortly after returning to Germany, where she currently lives and works, she became very unwell and later tested positive for heavy metal substances in medically inexplicable concentrations. Selma Inocência Marivate is in a critical state as she undergoes intensive treatment to clear her blood of the toxic metals. Amnesty International calls on the Mozambican authorities to urgently investigate the suspected poisoning and publicly condemn attacks against journalists.

Urge the Prosecutor General of the Republic, Américo Julião Letela, to ensure an effective investigation into the suspected poisoning of Selma Inocência Marivate is carried out - send your email using our email-writing tool.

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Prosecutor General

Américo

Julião Letela

Prosecutor General of the Republic

Dear Prosecutor General,

I am writing to express deep concern for Mozambican journalist Selma Inocência Marivate, 42, who on July 27 reported that she may have been the victim of a toxic metal poisoning during a work visit to Maputo, Mozambique in March 2025.

On March 2, Selma Inocência Marivate traveled from Germany, where she resides and works, to Maputo to facilitate a one-week training for local journalists. While still in Mozambique, she reported sensing that her safety may have been compromised, prompting her to leave the country on March 6, earlier than planned. Shortly after returning to Germany, she began experiencing serious health issues. After several inconclusive tests, a toxicological analysis carried out in Berlin confirmed heavy metal intoxication, including mercury, cadmium, uranium, and thallium. Medical reports described the presence of certain substances as being in “physiologically inexplicable concentrations”. Selma Inocência Marivate is currently undergoing chelation therapy, the standard treatment for heavy metal poisoning. She remains in a critical situation, unable to work or pursue her studies. As it is most likely that the suspected poisoning took place in Mozambique, the Mozambican authorities must urgently investigate the case.

I urge you to ensure a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the suspected poisoning of Selma Inocência Marivate is carried out, with a view to hold those responsible to account. I further urge you to publicly condemn any attacks or threats against journalists and human rights defenders in Mozambique, ensuring that press freedoms and more broadly the right to freedom of expression is respected and protected.

Yours sincerely,

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