# Angolan activist and Transparency International Integrity Award winner walks free URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/angolan-activist-and-transparency-international-integrity-award-winner-walk Type: News Published: 2015-05-22 Updated: 2019-11-19 --- 22 May 2015 **Update, 4 June 2015**: Despite the apparent dismissal of all charges against Rafael Marques following an agreement with the generals who had accused him of defamation, on 28 May Marques was convicted and given a six-month suspended jail sentence. [Read more here](/news/feature/transparency_international_condemns_conviction_of_rafael_marques_de_morais). On 21 May Rafael Marques de Morais, a fearless journalist and anti-corruption activist from Angola, walked out of an Angolan court a free man after all 24 charges of criminal defamation against him were dropped. Transparency International joins the international and national organisations who advocated for the case to be dropped in congratulating Marques for his courage as he faced down these charges and refused to apologise for the reporting in his book *Blood diamonds: corruption and torture in Angola*. The book describes how Angolan military officials and private security companies committed human rights abuses against Angolan villagers in the course of diamond mining operations. In 2013 Transparency International awarded Marques its [Integrity Award](/getinvolved/awardwinner/rafael_marques_de_morais). By holding the government to account, Marques gives hope to a heavily oppressed media. In the face of extreme personal risk, his hard-hitting journalism and powerful advocacy have proven to be invaluable tools in the campaign for a more transparent Angola. ## Countries - [Angola](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/angola) For any press inquiries please contact ### You might also like... ## [CPI 2024 for Sub-Saharan Africa: Weak anti-corruption measures undermine climate action](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2024-sub-saharan-africa-weak-anti-corruption-measures-undermine-climate-action) News • 11 February 2025 Despite a very low regional performance in 2024, there were African countries that invested in anti-corruption and made remarkable progress. ## [CPI 2023 for Sub-Saharan Africa: Impunity for corrupt officials, restricted civic space & limited access to justice](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2023-sub-saharan-africa-corruption-impunity-civic-space-access-justice) News • 30 January 2024 Progress in a few countries is not reflected throughout the largely stagnant region, while governments fail to act. ## [CPI 2022 for Sub-Saharan Africa: Corruption compounding multiple crises](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2022-sub-saharan-africa-corruption-compounding-multiple-crises) News • 31 January 2023 Corruption is damaging crucial enablers of progress – democracy, security and development – across Sub-Saharan Africa. ## [CPI 2021 for Sub-Saharan Africa: Amid democratic turbulence, deep-seated corruption exacerbates threats to freedoms](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2021-sub-saharan-africa-amid-democratic-turbulence-deep-seated-corruption) News • 25 January 2022 2021 was a turbulent year for Sub-Saharan Africa. On a continent where corruption plunders precious natural resources and impedes access to public services for millions of people,…