Burundi politicians 'were tortured'

2010-08-23 10:27

Nairobi - The rights group Amnesty International alleged in a report published on Monday that at least 12 opposition politicians were tortured during the recent elections in Burundi.

In the report, entitled A Step Backwards, Amnesty urged Burundi to investigate the allegations, which include the charge that one detainee's ear was cut off during detention by the country's National Intelligence Service (SNR).

The June 28 presidential election was marred by alleged fraud and intimidation to the extent that all candidates but the incumbent Pierre Nkurunziza withdrew.

"Reports of torture in Burundi have decreased in recent years, and its re-emergence is a very troubling step backwards," said Amnesty's Africa Program Director Erwin van der Borght.

The security services have rejected the allegations, saying if injuries were caused they were as a result of the detainees resisting arrest.

Nkurunziza is due to be inaugurated on August 26. Amnesty called on him to publicly condemn torture.

- SAPA