Cibitoke : the provincial representative of the SNR arrested

Police Colonel Félix Havyarimana, provincial head of the National Intelligence Service (SNR) was arrested on October 11 on the orders of the Attorney General of the Republic. He is held in a Burundian secret service cell in the commercial city of Bujumbura where the intelligence headquarters is located. He is prosecuted for « extortion ». INFO SOS Médias Burundi
According to witnesses, Police Colonel Félix Havyarimana was arrested by a team of agents of the National Intelligence Service from Bujumbura. The team was carrying a warrant issued by the Attorney General of the Republic.
The official is prosecuted for « extortion ». Police sources say he was arrested for forcing a gold trader to pay him 75 million Burundi francs.
« The head of the SNR in Cibitoke unjustly accused this trader of selling gold in Rwanda in order to force him to give him this money. He threatened to kill him, » our sources say.
To be protected from persecution, our sources add, « Paul Icoyitije had to sign a note of recognition and release this large amount. »
The trader was often harassed by police colonel Félix Havyarimana who suspected him of « collaborating with enemies of the country. »
Paul Icoyitije, who also has contacts within the ruling party and secret services, contacted the SNR officials at the national level who intervened.
Police colonel Félix Havyarimana is often cited in atrocities against opponents and supposed opponents in Burundi. He is suspected of having killed or ordered the assassinations of opposition party activists and people suspected of belonging to or collaborating with armed groups. The crimes for which he is suspected took place in the provinces of Muyinga (northeast) and Cibitoke (northwest) in particular. The Intelligence Service has not yet communicated on the arrest and detention of its now former representative in Cibitoke.
On Monday, on the sidelines of the commemoration of the 63rd anniversary of the assassination of the hero of Burundi’s independence, Prince Louis Rwagasore, a new head of the SNR was presented to services in the province.
He is acting, according to provincial administration and security sources.