Arrest of Rwanda's Victoire Ingabire Sparks Political Controversy

Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire has been arrested on charges of inciting public disorder and creating a criminal organisation. Her lawyer claims these charges are politically motivated. Ingabire, who leads the unregistered DALFA–Umurinzi party, was previously jailed on controversial charges but was freed in 2018.

Rwandan opposition figure Victoire Ingabire faces fresh legal challenges as she is arrested on allegations of inciting public disorder and establishing a criminal organisation. The Rwanda Investigations Bureau released a statement announcing her detention, sparking controversy and claims of political motivation.

In 2010, Ingabire returned from exile to challenge the presidential election but was disqualified over accusations of genocide denial, leading to her imprisonment two years later. Released in 2018, Ingabire now spearheads the unregistered opposition party DALFA–Umurinzi.

Her international lawyer, Iain Edwards, describes the charges as an extension of ongoing intimidation and harassment by the Rwandan government, aimed at suppressing dissent. Despite President Paul Kagame's international acclaim for Rwanda's economic transformation, rights groups criticize his regime for alleged human rights abuses.

(With inputs from agencies.)