Rwanda’s police said they arrested an activist barred from running for the presidency and two family members for alleged offenses against state security and forgery.
Diane Rwigara, her mother and sister were arrested Saturday after the East African nation’s police “uncovered credible evidence linking the trio to offenses against state security,” the force said in a statement on its website. Investigators have five days to complete the probe and decide whether to forward the case to prosecution, the police said. Rwigara’s lawyer didn’t immediately answer phone calls seeking comment.
A women’s rights activist, Rwigara attempted to run in August’s presidential vote against long-time ruler Paul Kagame only to be disqualified by the electoral board, which said she didn’t have enough supporting signatures. Amnesty International described the election as taking place in a climate of fear after crackdowns on the political opposition and media. The government rejected the criticisms.
Bloomberg
