yaounde, Aug 21, 2024 (BSS/AFP) - A Cameroonian social-media activist who had not been heard from since his arrest in July is being held by police in the capital Yaounde, his lawyer told AFP Wednesday.

Yves Kibouy Bershu -- also known as Steve Akam, but who goes by Ramon Cotta on social media -- has been held by judiciary police since his arrest, said Emmanuel Chendjou, one of his lawyers.

The influencer known for his criticism of the country's leaders was arrested mid-July in neighbouring Gabon, where he was a resident, and quickly transferred to Cameroon, his lawyers say, adding that the usual procedures for extradition "were not respected".

A video where he is seen handcuffed and surrounded by Cameroonian police has been widely shared since appearing in mid-July.

Human Rights Watch said mid-August that he had not been seen since.
In a statement, Ramon Cotta's lawyers said they had been able to speak to him for two hours on Tuesday in a cell at a military tribunal, though Chendjou said his judicial status is not known.

The team said he told them about being subjected to "torture" and they noticed physical scars.

"He has the beginnings of paralysis on his left side from head to toe and severe visual disturbances," the statement said.

"He claims to be held in a dark room after being tortured and his eyes subjected to spotlights."

According to the lawyers, Ramon Cotta has been accused of "acts of terrorism, insurrection, financing terrorism, arms trafficking, and insulting the head of state and members of the government".

The charges cannot be confirmed without access to the indictment, which his lawyers do not have, Chendjou said.