"This place is like hell, and there is no relief in hell. But only our determination, courage and faith help the martyrs to endure extreme moments. My incarceration should strengthen the fire of hope for a lasting solution in Rwanda. This is part of the non-violent struggle for democracy and the Prison is one of dictators' favourite weapons" Said Mrs Victoire Ingabire from 1930 prison

Today FDU INKINGI party members visited party Chair Ms. Victoire INGABIRE in Kigali maximum prison. She remains a symbol of a national struggle, a freedom icon and a democracy martyr. She encouraged the visiting colleagues and members in the following terms: "this place is like hell, and there is no relief in hell. But only our determination, courage and faith help the martyrs to endure extreme moments. My incarceration should strengthen the fire of hope for a lasting solution in Rwanda. This is part of the non-violent struggle for democracy and the Prison is one of dictators' favourite weapons".
Her security detail inside the prison seems more impressing and two female inmates have been relaying each other in her cell.

The Prosecution is not yet ready for the trial. The intimidation is still going on towards party members inside Rwanda and house staff. Almost every staff has been blackmailed either to support the prosecution evidence, either to face the security machinery as enemies of the state. No one was spared: private secretaries, kitchen staff, gardeners and watchmen. Some party members have been arrested in different parts of the country. The key witness, the so called "Major" Vital UWUMUREMYI, paraded by the prosecution has never been a member of the former Rwandan army before the genocide. It is only in exile in the DRC, when he enrolled for officer's training course and according to our records until his repatriation in February 2009, he has never been given the rank of "Major", either in the rebellion, either in the ruling Rwandan Defence Forces. He was promoted to this rank by some propaganda for the purpose of this politically motivated trial. We officially challenge the government to substantiate with official army records his military training in Rwanda before or after the genocide.

The reactions of the international community to the detention of our party leader are strong and powerful signals to the Rwandan people and Africans in terms of knowing whether there are genuine friends of Rwanda and in which circumstances they can rely on them. We are very grateful for the efforts carried on and by the work being done by some countries for the unconditional release of Ms. Victoire INGABIRE.

Sylvain SIBOMANA
FDU INKINGI
Secretary General

PRESS RELEASE.

“DON'T GIVE UP, HE WILL NEVER JAIL A WHOLE NATION”,  said Ms. Victoire INGABIRE on her 23RD DAY IN CAPTIVITY (KIGALI 1930 MAXIMUM PRISON).

Today, only 20 people were allowed to visit Ms. Victoire INGABIRE, FDU-INKINGI Chair,  in the Kigali maximum prison. The visitors are mostly members of the opposition party FDU INKINGI, the Green Democratic Party of Rwanda and the  Parti Social IMBERAKURI.  Two other political prisoners,  Maître Bernard NTAGANDA (PS IMBERAKURI, founder President) and Deogratias MUSHAYIDI (PDP IMANZI) were seen by the team as well.  Ms. Victoire INGABIRE encouraged the crowd in front of the Prison: “Do not to give up, the dictator will never jail a whole nation”.

Ms. Victoire INGABIRE is in detention since  14th October 2010. She is charged with politically motivated crimes. Considering the role of President Paul KAGAME and the whole state machinery in this endless process there is no single chance to have a fair trial.  While an appeal bail hearing is expected on 8th October, members of the ruling party are touring western capitals to justify their version of democracy, the incarceration of opposition leaders and the crimes against humanity committed in the Congo by the current regime. They can't even wait for the outcome of the trials.

The much touted discovery of a so called bunker in the victim's residence is a blatant lie and state hate propaganda. Most of residential properties in Kigali City have structures for rainwater drainage systems  and since 2006, thousands of households lacking such facilities have paid heavy fines due to the City Department of Environment and sanitation regulations. The police brutal show, the subsequent media campaign and the arrest or grilling of FDU-INKINGI Executives and staff is nothing else than state intimidation. It's another way for the regime to prepare the national and international opinion to  the upcoming court ruling.

Since February 2010, the Rwandan government fooled the world that there was overwhelming evidence against Ms. INGABIRE and up to date, General Paul KAGAME's men are still digging even sewage and sanitation structures.

The Rwandan people are waiting for next week court hearing. It's another big challenge for the independence of justice . Ms. Victoire INGABIRE will be assisted by a Rwandan lawyer and two International lawyers from the United Kingdom.

Sylvain SIBOMANA

FDU-INKINGI

Secretary General

The Kigali High Court has just postponed the appeal bail hearing to next Monday. The Court ordered the defence to reveal to the public the identity of the international defence counsel of the FDU INKINGI Chair, Mrs. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA.

We continue to witness worrying developments in this trial. For instance past or current house staff and many members of the party are still under pressure to testify against the party leader. The content of their testimonies is still in the making: grenades attacks, terrorist meetings at home, etc, ... 

In the meantime, reliable information confirm that the government is dispatching a strong propaganda mission in Europe and America in order to justify the incarceration of opposition leaders for terrorist acts, genocide ideology, divisionism and other politically motivated charges.

This shows that the government of Paul KAGAME already knows the outcome of the trial because it is preparing the opinion for a long prison term for Mrs. Victoire INGABIRE. To the RPF government this court process is just a show, a parody. The majority of government agents, members of parliament, members of the judiciary, judges are still proud members of the ruling party or have sworn allegiance to the political body until their last breath. A very ironic situation for the independence of justice while the staff is likely politicised.


FDU INKINGI
Secretariat

Today, FDU INKINGI team managed to visit Ms. Victoire INGABIRE in the Kigali 1930 maximum prison. They were inspired by her courage to resist the oppressor, to keep her head straight.She asked them to spread the word that only the courage will bring about the change Rwandans are longing for. "You will never achieve a revolution without sacrifices. The only weapon you need is courage. You all have it deep inside, set it free, and our people will be free forever". 

Ms. Victoire INGABIRE, the FDU-INKINGI Chair, is a living example of courage, patriotism and strength. She is a fear-busting symbol.She is the right person Rwandans needed for the change. She is how Amelia Earhart (Courage, 1927) describes this noble value: "Courage is the price that Life exacts for granting peace". She is the one.

 FDU INKINGI Secretariat.

Dear Sir/Madam;

Please find here below appending  a short chronology of events regarding the second arrest and detention of madame Victoire INGABIRE, FDU-INKINGI Chairperson.

- 08th October - 04:00-  Police siege. Until the arrest on 14th october, Victoire INGABIRE remained indoor.

- 09th October: Victoire asked the police spokesperson what was going on and she was told there was nothing to worry about.

- 11th October: Victoire reached the Prosecutor RUBERWA on phone and asked whether the bail conditions have changed because of the police siege. The prosecutor seemed to be surprised and promised to ask the Criminal Investigation Department.

- 14th October- 12:50:  a police team entered the property, put Madame Victoire INGABIRE under arrest, and took her to CID headquarters. The police spokesperson informed the public that she is arrested because of new evidence implicating her in the formation of a terrorist organisation and that a key witness was arrested the day before along the DRC common border with documents and details implicating her.

- 14th October - evening: She is transfered to KICUKIRO police detention facility.

- 14th October - evening: the FDU INKINGI team brought her a mattress, clothes, blanket and hygienic items. The food was taken to the detention center as well. All the items are given to the guards and never to the detainee.

- 15th October: two lawyers visited her, and noticed she was still in handcuffs since the arrest. She slept in a seated position on the floor, and no personnal item was provided. She did not eat. The lead lawyer discussed the detention conditions with the security officers and was told that they did not make decision. He rushed to the CID headquarters and left with no assurance that the situation will improve.

- 16th October: the jailers decided to give only the blanket. She is still in handcuffs. No mattress, no clothes, no hygienic stuff. The lawyer discussed the situation with the hierarchy. In the evening, the handcuffs were removed for the night.

All the food provided is returned untouched. No member of the party or nobody from her house is allowed to see her, nor to talk to her. Total blackout on her status. At this stage there was no doubt, she was not eating. We did not know whether she was given food or if she was unable to eat because of 24-hour handcuffs.

18th October: she is taken to GASABO Court House for the Prosecutor's interrogation. She is in the same outfit she had the time of her arrest. Her hair is undone, she is in handcuffs and weak.

18th October - late night, a Medical Doctor is rushed to her cell: The blood pressure has dropped dangerously, and some medication is given. The Police accepted this time to give the mattress and hygienic items.

On 19 October, the lawyer asked in a letter to the Police Commissioner to allow the client to go to hospital or to be seen by an independent Doctor.

18th - 21st October: Prosecutor's interrogations at the Gasabo Court House. She is always brought in in handcuffs. She is looking weak, exhausted and under duress.

21st October:  Morning hours, the police rushed in again some medical staff and some medication is given again before the afternoon Prosecutor's confrontation exercise with the state-prepared key witness Major Vital UWUMUREMYI.

During the confrontation, the key witness claimed that he was given in 2008 - 2009 at least 1,000 USD to create, train a rebel group and to purchase weapons. He informed that since his repatriation in Rwanda in February 2009, he has never been involved in any other rebel activity. This gives an impression that the terrorist allegations are over 2 years old and that police statements in this respect are not accurate, for a reason.

22nd October: She is again seen by police medical doctor.
Until now, people from our political party are not allowed to see her.

A bail hearing is supposed to happen on the 25th October at the GASABO Court House

For more information on her status please don't hesitate to be in touch with the FDU INKINGI Executive members or the lawyer.

Sylvain Sibomana
FDU INKINGI
Secretary General