By A court in the Central African Republic (CAR) has sentenced Martin Joseph Figueira, a dual Belgian-Portuguese national and employee of the U.S.-based NGO FHI 360, to 10 years of hard labor for espionage and undermining state security.
The Bangui Court of Appeal delivered the verdict on November 4, 2025, also imposing a fine of 50 million CFA francs. Figueira was arrested in Zemio in May 2024, and his trial ran from October 28 to November 4, 2025.
Figueira was convicted on six counts, including espionage, participation in a criminal association, and incitement to hatred and rebellion. The prosecution had initially demanded a 20-year sentence.
According to court documents, Figueira was accused of maintaining contacts with armed groups and collaborating informally with the International Criminal Court (ICC). Testimonies revealed he allegedly facilitated communication between ICC representatives and leaders of armed groups, including Noureddine Adam, Bello Saidou, and Ousmane Mahamat.
The trial also cited alleged contact between Figueira and ICC official Nicolas Herrera, with prosecutors claiming that funds were funneled to armed groups through his activities.
The conviction has drawn international attention, raising concerns over the safety and neutrality of NGO workers and the impact on humanitarian operations in the Central African Republic.
