PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
Rwanda: Alleged Rwandan 'spy' was a thug facing robbery charges - Parents
Kigali, Rwanda (PANA) - A few days after Burundian authorities paraded a man identified as Corporal Rucyahintare Cyprien, and claiming to be a Rwandan military spy, his parents and close relatives have said the man fled to Burundi because he was facing robbery charges back home, PANA reports Wednesday in Kigali.
Speaking with reporters, Esdras Nsabimana, the father of Cyprien, accused his son of telling lies, saying that the truth was that his son was involved in many robbery activities before he decided to escape to neighboring Burundi.
A senior administrative leader in Bugesera, a district in southeastern Rwanda, said the alleged Rwandan spy had been arrested on several occasions for drug-related and robbery offences.
Rwanda's Defence and Military spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, stressed that the Rwandan army does not have a soldier called Rucyahintare Cyprien in its list.
Cyprien was arrested last week in Rushenyi on the Rwandan border, according to the Burundian police spokesman, Pierre Nkurikiye.
However, exiled members of Burundian opposition members are currently seeking asylum in neighbouring Rwanda.
Media reports in Kigali claim that a group of Rwandans have been arrested and detained recently by Burundian security agents for "spying".
Analysts in Kigali say that by arresting Rwandan nationals, Burundian authorities are looking for scapegoats of the current political crisis since some 71,000 Burundians have fled to Rwanda after President Pierre Nkurunziza launched his third term project in violation of the country's constitution.
-0- PANA TWA/VAO 16March2016
Speaking with reporters, Esdras Nsabimana, the father of Cyprien, accused his son of telling lies, saying that the truth was that his son was involved in many robbery activities before he decided to escape to neighboring Burundi.
A senior administrative leader in Bugesera, a district in southeastern Rwanda, said the alleged Rwandan spy had been arrested on several occasions for drug-related and robbery offences.
Rwanda's Defence and Military spokesperson, Brig.-Gen. Joseph Nzabamwita, stressed that the Rwandan army does not have a soldier called Rucyahintare Cyprien in its list.
Cyprien was arrested last week in Rushenyi on the Rwandan border, according to the Burundian police spokesman, Pierre Nkurikiye.
However, exiled members of Burundian opposition members are currently seeking asylum in neighbouring Rwanda.
Media reports in Kigali claim that a group of Rwandans have been arrested and detained recently by Burundian security agents for "spying".
Analysts in Kigali say that by arresting Rwandan nationals, Burundian authorities are looking for scapegoats of the current political crisis since some 71,000 Burundians have fled to Rwanda after President Pierre Nkurunziza launched his third term project in violation of the country's constitution.
-0- PANA TWA/VAO 16March2016
