Jailed sick Burundi rights chief released on bail: lawyer

Police patrol a street of Bujumbura on September 26, 2013. By Esdras Ndikumana (AFP/File)

Bujumbura (Burundi) (AFP) - A Burundi court released a sick human rights activist from prison on medical grounds on Monday, but charges of endangering national security remain.

Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, 65, president of the rights group Aprodeh, was arrested in May and is on trial on for comments made to a radio station.

He criticised what he said was the paramilitary training of members of the youth wing of the ruling party in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

"We are very pleased that Mr. Mbonimpa has finally been granted bail," said lawyer Antoine Nzobandora.

"The international community has played a major role in this release, as well as the press and the people of Burundi," Nzobandora added.

Mbonimpa, who has diabetes and hypertension, was taken to a clinic in August.

He has been awarded the International Red Cross' highest decoration, The Henry Dunant Medal, for his commitment to human rights for his campaign against a series of killings of opposition members.

US President Barack Obama and the European Parliament called for his immediate release last week.

Burundi, a small nation in Africa's Great Lakes region, emerged in 2006 from 13 years of brutal civil war and its political climate remains fractious ahead of presidential polls due in June 2015.

Mbonimpa was arrested after a leaked UN report claimed the government was arming young supporters ahead of elections. The government fiercely denied the allegations.

Human Rights Watch said his release was a "welcome development" but called for the trial to end.

"Pierre-Claver is not a threat to Burundi, but rather a great asset," HRW said. "The Burundian government should now move to drop all charges against him."