KIGALI— Rwanda National Police (RNP) and Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) have arrested 13 suspects for planning to conduct terrorist attacks in Kigali.
They are linked to Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), a terror group affiliated with Daesh.
The suspects who comprised 12 men and one woman were paraded before journalists and they had different improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
They face seven charges which include conspiracy and incitement to commit terrorism, creating terrorism group or joining it, illegal use of explosives or any noxious substance in public places, among others.
The suspects were apprehended in different districts including the City of Kigali, Nyabihu, and Rusizi.
Thierry Murangira, the RIB spokesperson told media that the suspects were apprehended following information shared by citizens, and some were arrested getting training on how IEDs work.
According to Murangira, preliminary investigations reveal that four suspects played a role in recruitment, training, surveillance, and coordination activities on behalf of ADF.
“They are detained at Remera RIB station investigations continue, after which their files will be sent to prosecution and upon conviction, they face between seven years to 25 years imprisonment,” he said.
RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera said that the suspects were arrested on different dates in September and the investigation has shown that they work with the ADF terror group which is based in RDC, North Kivu.
“As you have seen, they had different explosive devices which means that this was planned but was prevented by police in partnership with other institutions,” he said.
The suspects confessed that they wanted to carry out terror attacks as a revenge which they said was motivated by RDF intervention in Cabo Delgado where the terror group was subdued.
Hassan Mbaraga, one of the suspects admitted to the crimes, saying that he joined the group after he was convinced by his friend and that they had planned to denote explosives in different parts of the country.
Rwanda on July 9, at the request of the Government of Mozambique, deployed a 1,000-person contingent of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and the Rwanda National Police (RNP) to Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, which has been affected by terrorism and insecurity.
Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK