The Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration has stated that the passport circulating on social media platforms belonging to Moise Turahirwa -- the founder of Moshions fashion house -- "is a deliberately falsified version of a true copy of the owner".
According to a statement issued on April 28 regarding the social media post in question, "the genuine passport that was issued to Moise Turahirwa by the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration was deliberately manipulated on the date of birth and sex."
The Directorate added that the falsified copy was also tampered with in the field that is supposed to have a passport number.
Turahirwa was arrested on Thursday, April 27, for alleged document forgery and drug abuse.
He identifies himself as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
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He is under investigation by Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) for suspected document forgery, after he posted a photo on social media of a passport bearing his picture, which indicated sex as F (female), captioned "finally officially female on my ID #ThankYouKagame."
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The Directorate reminded the public that Rwandan passports and travel documents are governed by law, to ensure national security and protection of Rwandans and genuine holders worldwide.
Meanwhile, it indicated that the misuse of the travel documents is an offense both punishable under courts of law or administrative measures by competent authority.
On sanctions, it said that the law N°57/2018 of 13/08/2018 on immigration and emigration in Rwanda, under articles 47 and 49, provides that any person who forges or falsifies a travel document commits an offence, punishable by fine and imprisonment of up to seven years.
Article 28 of the same law gives the Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration powers to "recover, revoke or cancel a passport or any other travel document when it is evident that its holder obtained it illegally, uses it inappropriately or in a manner jeopardising national security, public order and morals".