Rwanda: gospel singer Kizito Mihigo found dead in his cell

Kizito Mihigo speaks to the media in Kigali on April 15, 2014, after the announcement of his arrest the day before. AFP PHOTO / STEPHANIE AGLIETTI

Text by: RFI Follow

In Rwanda, police announced on February 17 that gospel singer Kizito Mihigo was found dead in his cell after committing suicide, authorities say. A year and a half after being released by presidential pardon, he was arrested again on February 13, 2020. He was accused of having wanted to cross the Burundian border illegally in order to join an armed group.

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With our correspondent in Kigali, Laure Broulard

In a statement posted on Twitter on February 17, Rwandan police said that singer Kizito Mihigo was found dead in his cell at around 5 a.m. this morning. Authorities speak of suicide, without giving further details, and announce that they have opened an investigation.

Itangazo rigenewe abanyamakuru.https: //t.co/WpEECYfosc pic.twitter.com/2Bu5T1Ojk3

Rwanda National Police (@Rwandapolice) February 17, 2020

The gospel singer had been detained at the Remera police station in the capital Kigali for three days. He was arrested on February 13 in the Nyaruguru district in the south of the country. The Rwandan investigation office accused him of having wanted to cross the Burundian border illegally in order to join an armed group, and of having tried to pay a bribe to villagers who had spotted him. Since then, his relatives have shared their amazement, ensuring that he had never spoken of leaving the country.

Previously considered an apostle of reconciliation and one of the most popular singers in Rwanda, Kizito Mihigo was arrested for the first time in 2014. He was then missing for several days before the authorities confirmed his detention. The genocide survivor then spent four years behind bars, charged with conspiring against the Rwandan state. He was finally released in September 2018 by decision of President Paul Kagame, along with the opponent Victoire Ingabire.

►Read also : Rwanda: a year ago, Victoire Ingabire and Kizito Mihigo were released from prison

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