by Eugene Ndahayo.

The latest news confirm the arrest of Ms. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA, FDU-INKINGI chair, and a subsequent transfer to KICUKIRO police cell. She was interrogated on her alleged connections with the FDLR rebels’ group and the unknown Coalition of Democratic Forces which is purported to bethe military wing of FDU INKINGI.

The police spokesperson today confirmed to the BBC that Mr. Vital UWUMUREMYI, former major with FDLR rebel group, is the new key police witness. Upon his arrest, he confessed that he was indeed involved, on behalf of or together with Ms. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA, in the purchase and distribution of arms to members of the unknown Coalition of Democratic Forces.
Reliable information confirm that the person was residing in Rwanda already since February 2009, in the know of all security services and has been collaborating with them and hence allowed to do some brokerage jobs for a living.

According to the police spokesperson, he was arrested on Wednesday October 13th along the Rwanda and DR Congo common border. We know that a machine has been put in place and all kind of repatriated Hutus, ex-FAR, ex-FDLR and the like, have been prepared and briefed to create anything that could keep key opponents in jail for life.

It is worth to recall that the home area of Ms. Victoire INGABIRE was cordoned off since October 8th 2010 by a heavy security force. Was the police expecting the arrest of the witness when it began the siege of her residence? The whole saga smells a rat.

The FDU INKINGI Support committee sincerely suspects a ploy to fabricate evidence against yet another key member of the democratic opposition. During previous interrogations, the police had all along alleged that two former members of FDLR group were ready to adduce evidence against Ms. INGABIRE. She has never been given a chance to challenge the evidence in a court of law.

The FDU INKINGI leader has been accused of all sorts of deeds since her return to Rwanda in January 2010. But so far the regime has failed to give evidence in a court of law. Instead the regime of General KAGAME kept her under extended house arrest.

The intimidation, harassment and arrest of the FDU-INKINGI Chairperson has been a pretext to reject the registration of the party, and to halt Ms. Victoire INGABIRE in her quest to challenge General Paul KAGAME in the rigged presidential election. She has officially and publicly questioned the legitimacy of the election’s result, as did a number of foreign countries. She also publicly called for accountability and the end of impunity which the regime is enjoying despite war crimes, crimes against humanity committed both in Rwanda and in the DRC.

We call for her immediate release and urge the international community to press upon General KAGAME to stop using his police and justice to settle political scores.

For the FDU INKINGI Support Committee

Eugene Ndahayo, President