Information from the family of DR Theoneste Niyitegeka indicates that his life is hanging by a hair’s breadth after he was thoroughly beaten by prison officials at Mpanga prison. After witnessing the state of his health, his family reckon that only a miracle can save his life.
Relatives said that the incident took place following a visit from his lawyer on the 7th of February 2014. The lawyer went to explore with him the prospect of taking his court appeal outside of the Rwanda jurisdiction.
Dr Theoneste is appealing against a miscarriage of justice in Rwandan courts where he was sentenced to 15 years detention. The allegations were framed up by Agacaca courts after he contested presidential elections and continued to be a thorn in the flesh of the regime through his continued criticism of government policies. There was no prosecution witness produced in the case against him.
After the meeting between Dr Theoneste and his lawyer, the latter was asked to give up all the documents that he had discussed with his client. He refused to surrender his document s but as soon as he left the prison officials descended on Dr Theoneste and beat him up and tortured him to unconsciousness. When he gained consciousness he was hurled into a van and taken to Rusuzi prison in Cyangugu.
Relatives who went to visit him on the 15th of February 2014 found him in such a bad state of health that he could not get up, speak or even eat. He is kept in such bad conditions of detention that they fear that he could pass away any time.
The family and friends are appealing to all peace loving people to come to their rescue but putting pressure on the government to allow him get medical treatment and to investigate and punish his torturers.
SOS for a Dr. Nyitegeka
24Fév