Rwanda National Police (RNP), on Saturday, September 23, has announced the detention of Adeline Rwigara, Anne Rwigara, and Diane Rwigara over offenses against state security and forgery.
During ongoing investigations, police uncovered credible evidence linking the trio to offenses against state security.
This was in addition to the behavior of the suspects during preliminary investigations, particularly their consistent refusal to cooperate with the police and publicly revealing information that is, by law, supposed to be confidential.
A police statement says “The Criminal procedure law gives investigators powers to detain a suspect for a maximum of five days in order to conclude investigations and decide, based on the evidence, whether or not to forward the case to prosecution.”
On the evening of July 7, 2017, the National Electoral Commission approved 3 candidates – Frank Habineza for the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) Inkotanyi’s incumbent Paul Kagame. An independent candidate former journalist Philippe Mpayimana also qualified after fulfilling all requirements, including 600 signatures of citizens who hail from 30 districts of the country.
This was a requirement for three other independent candidates – Gilbert Mwenedata, Barafinda Fred Sekikubo and Diane Shima Rwigara. A detailed report read to journalists at the event by NEC chief Prof Kalisa Mbanda shows the three candidates who were rejected lacked several documents. For example, Barafinda had no single document that confirms he is Rwandan by nationality. But when it came to Diane Rwigara, her dossier carried more shocking pieces.
When NEC officials analyzed her 600 nomination signatures using the national ID systems, three people, who are recorded as deceased, appeared. In addition, they all came from the Gasabo district.
“One of the ghost signatures belongs to a person who died at Kibagabaga hospital on April 16, 2016, and buried in Busanza cemetery,” said NEC officials while announcing the list of approved candidates on July 7, 2017.
