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Amnesty concerned over arrested soldiers

    NAIROBI

    The human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has expressed concern over the fate of two Rwandan nationals who were allegedly forcibly returned to Rwanda after fleeing the country. In a statement, AI said the two - Bertain Murera, a member of the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) and Benjamin Rutabana a musician and demobilised RPA member - fled on 24 January after hearing the Rwandan authorities planned to arrest them. They
    were allegedly involved in helping the former parliamentary speaker, Joseph Sebarenzi Kabuye - who is accused of pro-monarchist sentiments - to flee to Uganda. The two fled first to Burundi and then to Tanzania, where the Tanzanian authorities appear to have arrested them at the request of Rwanda which claims they are wanted in connection with murder and robbery,
    AI said. It added that according to unconfirmed reports, they may be in military custody in Kigali. Sources told IRIN that Rutabana had been distributing pro-monarchist cassettes in Rwanda. Supporters of the former king, Kigeli V, who was overthrown in 1961, appear to be intensifying their campaign.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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