Imbonerakure, who are purportedly members of the CNDD-FDD party’s youth league, are accused of killing Jean Claude Niyongabo. The Rutana prosecutor’s office declined to initiate an investigation into the suspected offenders. INFO Burundi’s SOS Media
Family members of Jean Claude Niyongabo committed the case to the public prosecutor’s office in Rutana (south-eastern Burundi).
The prosecutor allegedly refused to launch this case, claiming that if it was, his family members would be at risk of being slain as well.
The victim, a CNL activist, was allegedly killed by an Imbonerakure commanded by Désiré, the administrator of the Muzye zone, and accompanied by Édouard Nkezimana, also known as Biduda, a leader of the Imbonerakure in the Muzye zone.
According to reports, Sylvain Nzikoruriho, the provincial secretary of the CNDD-FDD, ordered the OPJ investigating the matter to be relocated to the communal police station in Mpingakayove (the same province) in order to conceal the incident.
The victim’s family refuses to back down and wants that justice be served.
According to Gatara sources, Imbonerakure assassinated Jean Claude Niyongabo when he was on patrol the day before the Head of State Évariste Ndayishimiye arrived.
The same individuals are believed to have killed two additional people since his death, but no judicial action has been taken in each case.