Commission on coup attempt submits findings

A commission set up by the Burundi government to investigate the 18 April coup attempt, this week presented its report to Justice Minister Therence Sinunguruza. Speaking to journalists, the minister said that the commission had worked to the deadline of 20 days as from 19 April. He said the accused persons would be allowed legal representation and that none would be condemned for belonging to a political party. In a statement on Thursday, Amnesty International noted that a total of 54 people had been charged in connection with the coup attempt and would be tried by the military court. “No date has been set for the trial, but the minister for justice has stated publicly that he wants the case to be dealt with quickly,” the statement said.

It said 23 of those charged were in custody, including Raphael Manirakiza and Ildephonse Ndagijimana, who are members of the PARENA party. All were being held at the Mpimba central prison in Bujumbura, except for the alleged leader, Lieutenant Pasteur Ntakarutimana, who had been transferred to Muramvya prison, north of Bujumbura, Amnesty added. According to the organisation, the identities of the other 51 accused have not yet been made public, although they are reported to be mainly junior officers. At least 160 people were arrested after the attempted coup. Some were only held for a short time, including 28 members of PARENA, who were arrested when they tried to visit Manirakiza and Ndagijimana, the statement added. All were held incommunicado while investigations were completed. “The remaining detainees are no longer considered to be at risk of torture,” it noted.