Burundi police block graft activist murder demo

Civil society activists demonstrated in Burindi’s capital, Bujumbura, Friday to demand that the killers of Ernest Manirumva, an anti-corruption activist assassinated on 9 April 2009, be brought to justice. The police on alert since early in the morning prevented the demonstrators reaching the ministry of justice.

AFP/Roberto Schmidt

Two activists including the head of an anti-graft organisation were arrested but released late in the evening .

The demonstration was part of activities organised to mark the justice campaign for Manirumva.

Riot police had in the early morning hours sealed off the independence square, where demonstrators had planned to assemble before a silent march to the ministry.

They stopped the demonstration after a 50-metre march from the headquarters of the Iteka human rights group.

Their posters, mainly demanding justice and the end of impunity in Burundi, were taken away.

Gabiel Rufyiri, the head of the anti-graft body Olucome and one of his close aides, Claver Irambona, were arrested.

Pacifique Nininahazwe, the head of the organisation which spearheaded the Justice for Ernest Manirumva campaign termed the police attitude shocking It is the third time a peaceful demonstration has been banned.

Manirumva’s killers have not yet been identified.

Of the 16 people accused, some have fled the country, others disappeared. Four senior police officers suspected of masterminding the assassination have not been questioned.

Manirumva was killed while investigating allegations of police involvement in arms trafficking.