Diane Rwigara, an outspoken critic of Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame has been granted bail by a court in the capital Kigali.
Rwigara and her mother have been freed on bail after spending a year in prison. They are both facing charges of forgery and inciting insurrection.
The activist was arrested shortly after declaring her intention to run for President in 2017. President Kagame won that election.
The court ruled that the prosecution did not give credible reasons why the two women should be detained during their trial.
The state prosecution team is unhappy with the decision and says it disagrees with the bail granted the two.
It however said it will be preparing properly for the trail itself.
Prosecution had strong reasons to oppose bail for Diane Rwigara et al, and still believes it should not have been granted, but we respect the decision of the court. We will consider to whether or not to challenge it. We will also prepare for the trial in substance.
— Rwanda Prosecution (@ProsecutionRw) October 5, 2018
Condition of bail
Rwigara and her mother per the bail conditions cannot leave Kigali without permission. They will have to submit their travel documents to state prosecutors.
Prison guards violently stop Adeline #Rwigara from hugging family and friends after Judge’s announcement.#Rwanda pic.twitter.com/vDtB25Gk0i
— Diane Shima Rwigara (@ShimaRwigara) October 5, 2018
There was drama in court when friends and relatives of the two rushed to hug them shouting “God is Great”.
On the bail conditions, the High Court said Diane Rwigara & her mother cannot leave Kigali without permission & they will have to submit their travel documents to Prosecution. There was drama as friends & relatives rushed to hug the duo. “God is Great” they shouted in unison. pic.twitter.com/oXF3jweaLD
— Rwanda Today (@RwandaToday) October 5, 2018
Rwigara’s documents were scrutinized last year when she decided to challenge Paul Kagame for the top job. She was declared unfit to run.
Rwigara was arrested for non payment of taxes from her family tobacco business. The Revenue Authority said the unpaid taxes amount to $7million.
Her assets were auctioned this year by the country’s authorities. The amount raised from the auctioned assets was to settle unpaid taxes.
The auctioned property raised almost $2m which is to settle part of the tax arrears officials said she owes.
Who is Rwigara?
Rwigara is a 35-year-old accountant. She had accused President Kagame of stifling dissent and holding on to power.
Her accusation came up shortly before she declared her intention to contest the presidential election which President Kagame won.
Her father died in a car accident in 2015 that her family maintains was politically motivated. Rwigara has always maintained that accusations against her are baseless.
Source: Africafeeds.com
