Police in Musanze District have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a 19-year-old man after losing a bet on a football match.

The suspect, identified as Thacien Nsengiyumva, 22, allegedly killed Gilbert Dushimimana in Muko Sector on Tuesday night.

Police said the deceased and the suspect had betted on the outcome of the match between Arsenal and FC Monaco on Tuesday night, which ended 2-0 in favour of Arsenal.

Chief Inspector of Police Andre Hakizimana, the Northern Province Police spokesperson, said preliminary investigations show that the suspect betted in favour of Monaco while the victim favoured Arsenal.

"It is alleged that when the match ended, a bitter quarrel ensued forcing an enraged Nsengiyumva to hurl a stone on Dushimimana’s head which injured him severely and later caused his death,” Hakizimana said, adding that investigations are ongoing.

Hakizimana said the duo was seen in a pub drinking shortly after the match and that the suspect could have acted under influence of alcohol.

He urged Rwandans to shun acts that could result into assault or death of innocent lives.

People involved in betting should be ready to accept the results even when they don’t go their way, he said.

Murder on conviction attracts life in jail.

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