Audio By Carbonatix
Rwandan gospel music artist Kizito Mihigo has been found dead in a police cell, officers say.
It comes three days after he was arrested near the border with Burundi.
Police accused him of attempting to flee the country and join rebel groups fighting against Rwanda. He is banned from leaving Rwanda due to a previous conviction.
Mihigo was best known for the songs Inuma (pigeon) and Igisobanuri cy'urupfu (the meaning of death).
A statement shared on social media by police spokesman JB Kabeera said Mihigo's body was found during a routine check by officers at Remera police station on Monday morning. The spokesman gave no further details.
Mihigo had been charged with corruption and illegal border crossing, local media report.
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau accused the singer of attempting to bribe people who had seen him.
A resident in the south-western Nyaruguru district told BBC Great Lakes that on Thursday villagers had stopped the musician, who was carrying a heavy bag, and handed him over to police.
"I was there, I saw him. Villagers who stopped him said he was trying to cross to Burundi using illegal roads. From here to the border it's less than five minutes' walk," the resident, who declined to be named, said.
Some of Mihigo's fans took to social media demanding answers from the government about his death.
In 2015, the singer was sentenced to 10 years in prison after being convicted of planning to kill President Paul Kagame and inciting hatred against the government.
He was pardoned by the president in 2018 on condition that he only leave the country with judicial permission.
Mihigo was once close to the governing Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) party. He is a survivor of the 1994 genocide and is well known for his reconciliation work and religious songs.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
AG urges GBA to remain the conscience of Ghanaian society
22 seconds -
24-Hour Economy: Minority questions demolition of schools, markets and other public assets
3 minutes -
China criticises idea it is in ‘malicious competition’ over AI
5 minutes -
Russia hits Ukrainian train shortly after Boris Johnson and top European officials leave station
5 minutes -
Sista Afia reveals fears about becoming a single mother
8 minutes -
Gov’t 24-Hour Economy markets programme is an afterthought – Minority
9 minutes -
Minority wants traders, residents heard before 24-Hour Market projects
10 minutes -
Minority demands review of 24-Hour Market programme over ‘poor planning’
12 minutes -
GIPS calls for strategic procurement to drive inclusive industrial growth
14 minutes -
Ato Forson leads NDC 2028 flagbearer poll with 32% support – Global InfoAnalytics
17 minutes -
Daily Insight for CEOs: The CEO’s role in building leadership capability
22 minutes -
AG to introduce Legal Practitioners Standard Board Bill in Parliament
31 minutes -
AG proposes Bar Welfare Fund to provide social protection for lawyers
35 minutes -
No conditions attached: Rethinking Ghana’s duty of care for citizens in crisis abroad
36 minutes -
GES opens applications for non-teaching staff promotion; here’s who qualifies
50 minutes