Four more arrested for rejecting national IDs

KARONGI – Four more people in Karongi district have been arrested for refusing to take possession of national identity cards claiming that their religious faith does not permit them to do so.

Tuesday, June 08, 2010

KARONGI – Four more people in Karongi district have been arrested for refusing to take possession of national identity cards claiming that their religious faith does not permit them to do so.

According to local authorities, the quartet which is currently in custody at Bwishyura Police Station will be produced before court next week to answer charges of defiance against government programs.

They include 25-year old Christine Muhawenimana, Rose Mukeshimana, 31, Stephania Nyirabariho, 50 and 52-year old Thaciene Utetiwabo.

Speaking to The New Times in an interview, the four claimed that prophecy, according to the Bible reveals the world is in its final days in which no identification should be imposed on true Christians.

Quoting the Bible, Muhawenimana who is a Seventh day Adventist said, "In the last days you will be obliged to have a uniform identification for which you will be known.”

She maintained that their group was determined to stand by their belief and nothing would change their mind.

When contact, prosecution confirmed that deliberately choosing not to own a national ID was a criminal offence punishable by law.

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