On Thursday evening, 19 June 2025, opposition politician Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza was arrested and placed in detention at the headquarters of the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) in Remera, Kigali. Her arrest follows a decision by the High Council of Justice ordering that she be officially included as a co-defendant in an ongoing trial for attempting to overthrow the government. The case already involves nine individuals, including journalist Théoneste Nsengimana and activist Sylvain Sibomana, who have been in detention since 2021.
In a statement published shortly after midnight, the RIB confirmed it was acting at the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, in accordance with the judicial order issued only a few hours earlier. The investigation concerns serious accusations: the creation of a criminal group and the organisation of activities intended to incite public disorder. The RIB stated that Ms Ingabire will be handed over to the prosecution once the preliminary investigations are completed.
The arrest took place during the night of 19 to 20 June. According to several witnesses, Ms Ingabire’s house, located in a residential area of Kigali, was surrounded by a large police presence. Officers in uniform and in plainclothes then proceeded to carry out a systematic search of the premises. No official information has been released about the contents or outcome of the search.
Last Tuesday, Victoire Ingabire had been summoned to appear before the court as part of the aforementioned case. Although initially introduced as a witness by the court, the prosecution insisted on her presumed role in organising clandestine training sessions allegedly aimed at mobilising a radical opposition movement against the government. The prosecution also drew a connection between these activities and “Ingabire Day”, a symbolic event celebrated annually by some of her supporters in the diaspora.
Before the judges, Ingabire denied all allegations. Assisted by her lawyer, Me Gatera Gashabana, she stated that neither she nor her political party DALFA-Umurinzi — which remains unrecognised by the Rwandan authorities — were involved in any such activities. She explained that the party, having faced administrative roadblocks, had ceased all formal operations several years ago.
Despite these explanations, the judges deemed her statements insufficient. They cited the presence of incriminating elements justifying a deeper investigation. The court thus ordered the opening of a two-week inquiry to determine whether Ms Ingabire should be prosecuted alongside the other defendants.
This development marks a significant turning point in the judicial treatment of Victoire Ingabire, a central figure in the Rwandan opposition since her return to the country in 2010. Previously imprisoned for eight years on similar charges, she was released in 2018 by presidential pardon. Since then, she has unsuccessfully attempted to register her political party and participate in Rwanda’s political life through official channels.
Therwandan
 in Remera, Kigali. Her arrest follows a decision by the High Council of Justice ordering that she be officially included as a co-defendant in an ongoing trial for attempting to overthrow the government. The case already involves nine individuals, including journalist Théoneste Nsengimana and activist Sylvain Sibomana, who have been in detention since 2021.In a statement published shortly after midnight, the RIB confirmed it was acting at the request of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, in accordance with the judicial order issued only a few hours earlier. The investigation concerns serious accusations: the creation of a criminal group and the organisation of activities intended to incite public disorder. The RIB stated that Ms Ingabire will be handed over to the prosecution once the preliminary investigations are completed.The arrest took place during the night of 19 to 20 June. According to several witnesses, Ms Ingabire’s house, located in a residential area of Kigali, was surrounded by a large police presence. Officers in uniform and in plainclothes then proceeded to carry out a systematic search of the premises. No official information has been released about the contents or outcome of the search.Last Tuesday, Victoire Ingabire had been summoned to appear before the court as part of the aforementioned case. Although initially introduced as a witness by the court, the prosecution insisted on her presumed role in organising clandestine training sessions allegedly aimed at mobilising a radical opposition movement against the government. The prosecution also drew a connection between these activities and “Ingabire Day”, a symbolic event celebrated annually by some of her supporters in the diaspora.Before the judges, Ingabire denied all allegations. Assisted by her lawyer, Me Gatera Gashabana, she stated that neither she nor her political party DALFA-Umurinzi — which remains unrecognised by the Rwandan authorities — were involved in any such activities. She explained that the party, having faced administrative roadblocks, had ceased all formal operations several years ago.Despite these explanations, the judges deemed her statements insufficient. They cited the presence of incriminating elements justifying a deeper investigation. The court thus ordered the opening of a two-week inquiry to determine whether Ms Ingabire should be prosecuted alongside the other defendants.This development marks a significant turning point in the judicial treatment of Victoire Ingabire, a central figure in the Rwandan opposition since her return to the country in 2010. Previously imprisoned for eight years on similar charges, she was released in 2018 by presidential pardon. Since then, she has unsuccessfully attempted to register her political party and participate in Rwanda’s political life through official channels.){kind=link}