RWANDA: ABDUCTED OPPOSITION MEMBER ICYITONDERWA FREE AFTER TORTURE
Yesterday we echoed a press release from the Parti Social Imberakuri in Rwanda confirming the kidnapping at gunpoint of Mr. Jean Baptiste Icyitonderwa, the party mobilisation secretary. Today, he reappeared alive, head covered, under shock, scared, weak and telling of torture. He refused to comment in depth his 7 day ordeal after he was abandoned tightened in plain night in Nyarugunga valley by unnamed armed kidnappers who allegedly threatened to kill him if he does not quit the opposition. This case and other accounts of ill-treatments against civilians underscore the need for the government of Rwanda to put an end to politically motivated attacks.
For example in Gahombyo village, Sector Kabare of Kayonza district, a 52 year old woman named Liberata Ntabuhungiro, her son Albert Twizeyimana and her daughter Beatrice Mutesi were seriously assaulted by security personnel known as “community policing” on 10 March 2012 after they did not attend the RPF ruling party local elections and forced membership sessions. The son was taken into police custody for three days. FDU-Inkingi interim Executive committee spoke to the highest local authority, Mr. Alfred Twagirumukiza, who justified the beating as a punishment for challenging orders from local administration. The Kabare local police chief declined to respond to our calls.
The High Court continues the kangaroo process against the political leader, Ms. Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, chair of FDU-Inkingi. Under the request of the prosecution her co-accuseds in a guilty deal were advised to ask questions and cross-examine the key defendant. Lieutenant Colonel Tharcisse Nditurende and his defense counsel surprised the courtroom when they informed that they did not remember the questions. This exercise is likely continuing for a couple of days.
posted by Mamadou Kouyate @ 11:54 PM
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