Kagame critic ‘denied lawyer’

KIGALI: A critic of Rwanda’s president appeared in court next to her mother and sister yesterday, all charged with forgery and inciting insurrection.

Diane Shima Rwigara is accused of faking registration papers she filed to stand against President Paul Kagame in an August election. She was barred from running and Kagame won 98.8% of the vote.

Rwigara, a 35- year- old accountant, has repeatedly accused Kagame of stifling dissent and criticised his tight grip on the country since it fought its way to power to end Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.

Yesterday, she said she had been forced to appear without her lawyer because she had not told him about the hearing in time. Rwigara, her mother Adeline and sister Anne, have said charges against them are politically motivated.

Rwigara’s mother is also charged with “discrimination and sectarianism”.

Prosecutor Michel Nshimiyimana said the Rwigaras’ lawyer had been informed. The hearing continues on Monday. – Reuters