KARONGI – Two Rwandan fishermen from Rutsiro District, last week, narrowly escaped death and are currently detained in Goma, for allegedly attempting to steal illegal fishing nets in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The duo, identified as Théogen Maniriho, 20, and 18-year old Theogene Hakizimana, survived as two of their other friends were killed in a gun shoot-out with security officials at the Rwanda-Congo border along Lake Kivu.

The deceased are Rukara Twizerimana and another only identified as Uwihoreye.

"Preliminary investigations have so far established that those who were arrested had sustained serious injuries and are in critical conditions,” a police officer said.

According to eye witnesses and local authorities, the quartet had a history of theft and other forms of misconduct.

"The men had a lengthy criminal record and it was not the first time such things were happening to them,” an eye witness told The New Times yesterday.

Western Province Governor, Celestin Kabahizi, said measures were underway to find how to handle the situation.

"Since it is important that their trial takes place at the scene of crime, we have requested the Congolese authorities to allow us closely monitor the situation in order to ensure that it is fair,” Kabahizi said.

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