April 11, 2013
Yesterday, the Gasabo Intermediate Court (Kigali) refused bail to Mr. Sylvain Sibomana, FDU-Inkingi interim Secretary general, and authorized a 30-day renewable provisional detention. He is now transferred to Kimironko Prison. Political prisoner Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, FDU-Inkingi Chair,is in Kigali central prison, completing today her 910th day in captivity, serving a sentence of 8 years based on politically trumped up charges.
The national Public Prosecution Authority pressed the following charges against Mr. Sylvain Sibomana:
– Contempt of administrative authorities and persons in charge of public service (Art.539 and 540 al2.2 of the penal code)
– Inciting insurrection or trouble amongst the population (Art.463)
– Illegal demonstration on public ways or public gathering(Art.685)
All those charges together are punishable of a term of imprisonment between 12 and 19 years and hefty fines.
Sylvain Sibomana and Dominique Shyirambere were arrested by the police in the premises of the Supreme Court at the opening of the appeal hearing of political prisoner Madam Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza on 25 March 2013.
They were savagely and publicly beaten. Sylvain Sibomana was left with a broken tooth, traumatized jaw, bruised head and body and swollen members.
No action was taken against their torturers up to date.
FDU-Inkingi
Sixbert Musangamfura
External relations Commissioner
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