TAKE ACTION FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

RETURN JOURNALIST’S SEIZED WORK EQUIPMENT

Mozambique UA 70.26

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.

Call on the Mozambican authorities to return Estácio Valoi’s personal equipment unless they can demonstrate before a competent court that its continued retention is lawful, necessary, and proportionate - send your message using our email writing tool.

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Prosecutor General

Américo

Julião Letela

Prosecutor General of the Republic

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,

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