Sixteen young democracy activists were freed from prison today by Angola’s Supreme Court, including the rapper Luaty Beirão. Beirão, who performs under the name Ikonoklasta, was charged with “rebellion against the president of the republic, criminal association and falsifying documents” in March.

After much protest, the Supreme Court is reconsidering the sentences of Beirão and his codefendants. The rapper has a loyal following in Angola and Portugal, and his case has caught the attention of numerous international organizations.

Luaty Beirão, aka Ikonoklasta, in a 2011 pro-democracy protest. That peaceful protest was infamously dispersed by police, who injured 14 (YouTube).

Beirão’s charges related to a book club in which he and the other men are members. The group was reading Gene Sharp’s handbook From Dictatorship to Democracy: A Conceptual Framework for Liberation (full PDF here; large file) at their arrest.

Angola’s president, José Eduardo dos Santos, has controversially ruled the country for the past 37 years.

Any court seeking justice would have acted the same.

Beirão’s attorney Francisco Miguel Michel said that he was very happy with court’s decision. The court’s finding was not overly to him, as he persisted on his clients’ innocence. “Any court seeking justice would have acted the same,” he said. “They haven’t committed a crime.”

Activists chanted outside of the courtroom in solidarity with the protesters: “They sentenced innocent people. Justice has been done. The struggle continues.”

Supporters of President dos Santos spoke against the activists, stating that the charges have not yet been overturned, and that the court still must reach a final ruling.

Only one of Beirão’s codefendants remains imprisoned, on a separate charge of “contempt of court.”

The rapper himself has not made any public comments on the release.

It is not yet known when the Supreme Court will make a final ruling on the artist’s sentencing, but many hope that this conditional release is a positive sign for his freedom.

Beirão is one step closer to freedom, but there is still much work to be done. The Voice Project welcomes this news, and will continue to petition for the unconditional release of Luaty Beirão in advance of the court’s final ruling. If you have not done so already, you can add your voice to that demand here.