Paris, 20 June 2025 – The late-night arrest of Rwandan opposition figure Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza by state investigators on 19 June around 9pm has raised serious concerns among human rights groups. In a statement released on Friday, the Rwanda Human Rights Observatory (ODHR) denounced what it sees as a clear misuse of judicial procedures for political ends.
According to the ODHR, Ingabire was summoned by phone on 16 June by a clerk of the High Council of Justice, ordering her to appear before the court on 19 June under Article 106 of the Rwandan Criminal Procedure Code. No formal charges were communicated. Although she appeared voluntarily, her hearing was reportedly chaotic and orchestrated to justify an immediate investigation, which led directly to her arrest the same evening by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
The ODHR argues this violates multiple provisions of Rwandan law. Article 96 states that a defendant who is not in custody prior to trial must be judged while free. Article 50 forbids house searches after 6pm unless in a case of “flagrant offence”—a condition difficult to apply to a trial that has been ongoing for over four years.
Ingabire’s name has been drawn into the ongoing trial of Sylvain Sibomana and several members of DALFA-Umurinzi, an unregistered opposition party. They are accused of organising a peaceful training on non-violent political change. Journalist Théoneste Nsengimana, who was meant to cover the symbolic “Ingabire Day” event—a day advocating for political prisoners—is also among the accused.
In his statement, Laurent Munyandilikirwa, President of the ODHR, condemned what he called “a campaign of harassment and intimidation” targeting opposition voices, journalists, YouTubers and human rights defenders. He referred to the cases of Karasira Aimable, Idamange Yvonne, Cyuma Hassan, and others who have been arbitrarily arrested, disappeared or tortured in detention.
“The Rwandan government must release Victoire Ingabire in line with its own laws,” Munyandilikirwa urged. He called on international human rights organisations, diplomatic missions and Rwanda’s development partners to demand the release of all political and opinion prisoners.
This latest incident reinforces long-standing concerns about the absence of the rule of law in Rwanda, where judicial harassment is widely seen as a tool of repression.
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