Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) currently holds Emmanuel Blaise Harerimana, the Executive Secretary of Rubavu Sector, in custody on charges of influence peddling, forgery, and non-disclosure of a felony related to a murder case.
According to RIB Spokesperson Thierry Murangira, the suspect was apprehended on September 1, in connection with the death of Innocent Ndimbati, who was killed on July 16 in Murara Cell, Bugesera Village, Rubavu district. The victim, a herdsman, reportedly died from severe beatings.
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Murangira stated, "Harerimana submitted an incorrect report to local authorities with the intent of misleading the investigation regarding the alleged suspects, Jean Bosco Muvandimwe and Etienne Hakizimana."
Other individuals currently in custody are Jean Damascene Rirwanabose and Jean Marie Vianney Urimubenshi, who are both local leaders in Bugesera Village where the incident occurred.
Murangira added, "RIB warns the general public that it is their responsibility to report accurate information and not obstruct investigations or withhold information about violent crimes. RIB will not tolerate individuals engaging in such behavior."
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The suspect is detained at the Gisenyi RIB Station while investigations continue
The suspects may face charges under Article 7 of the anti-corruption law, which states that any person who exerts influence by any means to benefit themselves or others commits an offense and is liable to imprisonment for a term of more than five years but not exceeding seven years, along with a fine ranging from Rwf3 million to Rwf5 million.
The same article states that if the influence results in receiving or being promised an illegal benefit, the penalty is imprisonment for a term of between five to seven years, with a fine of not more than ten times the value of the illegal benefit.
RIB is also considering charging the suspects under Article 243 of the law determining offenses and penalties, which stipulates that any person who possesses information about a felony or misdemeanor about to be committed or that has already occurred and fails to promptly inform security, judicial, or administrative authorities, when able to do so and when such information could help prevent the crime or limit its effects, commits an offense. Upon conviction, the law prescribes a prison term of not less than six months and not exceeding one year, along with a fine ranging from Rwf1 million to Rwf3 million.
Another article in the same law that RIB is considering is Article 276, which states that any person who, in any manner, forges or alters documents by forging signatures or fingerprints, falsifying documents or signatures, or impersonating, forging agreements, its provisions, obligations, or discharged obligations, commits an offense.
The article further notes, "Any person who, with fraudulent intent, produces a false written document, causes false statements to be written, or produces a conflicting declaration, is considered to commit the offense of forgery. Upon conviction, they are liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years but not exceeding seven years, along with a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million, or one of these penalties."
It adds that if forgery is committed by a public servant or any other person in charge of public service, the applicable penalty is imprisonment for a term of not less than seven years but not exceeding ten years, along with a fine of not less than Rwf3 million.