Burundi denies torture claims

2006-08-04 20:00

Esdras Ndikumana

Bujumbura - Burundi denied claims on Friday that its security forces had tortured suspects arrested this week in an alleged coup plot and asked concerned diplomats for "patience" while it completes its investigation.

As police expanded a round-up of members of the alleged cabal with the arrest of a lawyer for two of the seven accused, government spokesperson Karenga Ramadhani rejected allegations that detainees had been mistreated.

Ramadhani said: "There are some who say there has been torture and procedural violations."

"I can verify to you that we have not and do not intend to make such violations."

Ramadhani downplayed comments from Burundi's human rights minister, Francoise Ngendahayo, who said on Thursday she had seen the aftermath of beatings while visiting the detainees in prison.

"If she said that, she was only speaking only for herself and not for the government," he said, appealing for "patience and understanding" from the international community.

Expressions of deep concern

"The usual channels of information are open for diplomats who want to clarify one point or another, but we ask for patience and understanding until the investigation can be completed," Ramadhani said.

The torture claims, also made by lawyers and family members of the detainees, had drawn expressions of deep concern from the United Nations and other members of Bujumbura's diplomatic group.

Burundi's interior ministry said on Thursday it had foiled a plot to overthrow President Pierre Nkurunziza and his barely year-old government, which came to power last August after elections under a new power-sharing constitution.

Eight people have been arrested since Monday, the latest being lawyer Isidore Rufyikiri, who was picked up on Thursday.

Declined to be named

Rufyikiri "is now being interrogated by the presidential police about his possible participation in this coup," said Pierre-Claver Mbonimpa, head of the association for the defence of detained persons and human rights (Aprodeh).

Rufyikiri's family and a Burundian police official who declined to be named confirmed his account.

Rufyikiri represents former vice-president Alphonse-Marie Kadege and Deo Niyonzima, a senior opposition official.

The eight detainees also include another opposition official, Alain Mugabarabona, and a senior military officer, Damien Ndarisigaranye.

Two close aides to ex-president Domitien Ndayizeye - his former spokesperson Pancrace Cimpaye and his former protocol chief Isaie Simbare - are being sought for questioning, according to authorities.

- SAPA