Georges Nikiza, Spokesperson for the opposition coalition- National Rally for Change-RANAC says its members are illegally detained these days. He refers to the recent case of Daniel Manirakiza, RANAC representative in Muramvya Province arrested on 27 March. “He was with other representatives of the coalition from Mwaro, Gitega and Karuzi provinces when he was arrested by the National Intelligence Services,” he says.
Georges Nikiza: “Police officers and local administration should respect the free movement of members recognized political party”
Mr Nikiza says the arrested people were going to inquire about the detention of Aloys Baricako, Chairman of RANAC, himself arrested on 26 March in Gitega Province. Suddenly, he says, the National Intelligence Services arrested them. He, however, says they were released at the end of the day except the RANAC representative in Muramvya Province.
Nikiza says the National Intelligence Services have taken the chairman of RANAC back to his home while the representative of the coalition in Muramvya Province has been taken to Gitega intelligence dungeon.
“We haven’t yet received any official motives behind his incarceration. We are waiting for the police and justice investigation for more details”, he says adding that the chairman of the coalition would have been interrogated about his contacts with politicians in exile.
He says the freedom of expression is not guaranteed and the political space is closed. Georges Nikiza urges police officers and local administrative officials to respect the free movement of members of all political parties recognized in Burundi.
The Burundian police say Manirakiza Daniel is detained in the capital Bujumbura since yesterday. He is accused of breach of internal security. Although Aloys Baricako is at home at the moment, he is still facing an investigation about the same allegation.
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