Local sector official held over illegal detention

Police in Nyamasheke District have arrested a local sector official accused of illegally detaining a woman who was later found dead in her ‘cell’.

Monday, December 02, 2013

police in Nyamasheke District have arrested a local sector official accused of illegally detaining a woman who was later found dead in her ‘cell’.Callixte Nshimiyimana, the officer in charge of Social Affairs in Nyabitekeri Sector, was arrested alongside a Local Defense Forces Personnel, also suspected of involvement in the illegal detention.The woman, identified as Violette Uwimana, 28, was reportedly found dead last Wednesday,few hours after she was detained at the Sector’s office. Mystery still surrounds her death, though unconfirmed reports suggest she might have committed suicide.The Western Region Police spokesperson, Supt Hamza Vita, confirmed the arrests. He told The New Times that investigations into the illegal detention and the subsequent death of the woman are ongoing. The victim’s body has been taken to hospital for a post-mortem examination.Supt Vita said the suspects are being questioned on why they detained the woman despite the fact that they had no authority to do so."Results of our investigations and the medical tests being carried out will help unravel the mystery surrounding the incident and eventually establish the dossier which we shall handover to the prosecution,” Supt Vita said.