Rwandan opposition leader Ingabire arrested for alleged ties with militia group

[News_Editor]

Rwandan opposition leader Ingabire arrested for alleged ties with militia group

2010-10-15 05:50:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

KIGALI, RWANDA (BNO NEWS) -- Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire was arrested on Thursday for her alleged implication with the activities of an ex-commander of a Hutu militia group, the Rwanda News Agency reported.

Ingabire was charged with treason after a former top ex-Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebel commander provided more evidence that Ingabire was in close links with the militia group.

The opposition leader returned last January from exile to challenge President Paul Kagame. She is the outspoken head of the unregistered United Democratic Forces (UDF) party.

Ingabire was arrested at her home in the capital city of Kigali and taken to a police station, the same in which Major Vital Uwumuremyi, a former commander of the Congolese-based FDLR rebel group, was also held.

Uwumuremyi was arrested while trying to slip back into neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo using fake identity papers. He was accused with forming a terrorist organization known as the Coalition of Democratic Forces.

He faces charges of buying and distributing arms and ammunitions to the terrorist organization, and threatening national security and public order.

Local human rights groups allege that the Rwandan government is using the terrorist allegations to diminish opposition in the African country.

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