Crepin Mboli Goumba, a lawyer and coordinator for the opposition group BRDC, was arrested earlier this month after accusing magistrates of corruption.

He was ordered to pay a fine of around $130,000 (£105,000). Prosecutors had sought a one-year jail term for him. His lawyers said they would appeal against the sentencing, AFP news agency reported.

Human Rights Watch has accused President Faustin Archange Touadera's regime of repressing civil society, media and opposition parties.