The European Conservatives and Reformists Group condemns the sentencing of the Tanzanian opposition leader and human rights defender, Tundu Lissu, to four years in prison.

Lissu, who was nominated by the ECR and EPP groups for the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought, was acquitted of treason but convicted of incitement. The ECR Group maintains that his continued imprisonment is unacceptable, even though he no longer faces the death penalty.

ECR Co-Chairman Nicola Procaccini said:

“Four years is still four years too many. Tundu Lissu should be free. No man should lose years of his life simply for challenging those in power and demanding fair elections.”

ECR Co-Chairman Patryk Jaki said:

“He survived bullets. He survived exile. Now he is being kept behind bars for political reasons. That is not justice.”

ECR MEP Carlo Fidanza, who put forward Lissu’s nomination, said:

“We nominated Tundu Lissu because he refused to be silenced. Today’s sentence proves once again why his case matters. Europe should keep demanding his release.”

ECR MEP Rihards Kols, who co-initiated Lissu’s nomination, said:

“You do not strengthen democracy by jailing your opponents. You strengthen it by letting them speak and organise. Tundu Lissu should be released and allowed to return to political life.”