Kizito Mihigo, two others arrested over suspected links to terrorist activities

Musician Kizito Mihigo, a radio journalist and a demobilised soldier have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in subversive activities, Police have said. Mihigo was arrested on Friday, while the other two — Amazing Grace Radio journalist Cassien Ntamuhanga, and Jean-Paul Dukuzumuremyi — were arrested today and Saturday, respectively, according to a police statement. Last week media reports had indicated that Ntamuhanga had gone missing on the night of April 7 with Police confirming they were investigating circumstances behind his alleged disappearance. The three are suspected of offenses against state security after they were recruited by the opposition Rwanda National Congress (RNC) and worked in collaboration with the DR Congo-based genocide militia FDLR, the statement added. RNC is led by dissident individuals, including former army officers, wanted in Kigali to serve lengthy jail sentences, and who are linked to a spate of grenade attacks in the country since 2010. FDLR is led by and largely composed of elements blamed for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which claimed the lives of more than a million people. “Mihigo, Ntamuhanga and Dukuzumuremyi are under investigation for involvement in planning terrorist attacks against Rwanda, planning violent overthrow of the government, planning to assassinate government officials and inciting violence among the population,” Police said in the statement. The suspects are also believed to have actively participated in “a network that had carried out several grenade attacks and continues to plan terrorist action against Rwanda”. “The Police is in possession of ample evidence including grenades and testimonies obtained from other accomplices arrested during the course of investigation. Kizito Mihigo, Cassien Ntamuhanga and Jean-Paul Dukuzumuremyi have admitted to working closely with senior members of RNC and FDLR, an active network that has carried out several grenade attacks in Rwanda,” Police Spokesperson ACP Damas Gatare is quoted in the statement as saying. He added: “…investigations continue to arrest other members of the network still at large. We encourage the public to continue to share relevant information with the Police.” Gatare said the case file for the three suspects will now be submitted to the prosecution.

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Kizito Mihigo, two others arrested over suspected links to terrorist activities