Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has confirmed to have in custody Liberathe Ayingeneye a village leader in Ngoma district suspected of intentional assault or battery. Ayingeneye, a coordinator of her village (umudugudu) was arrested on January 12 according to Thierry B. Murangira, the RIB’s spokesperson. In the interview with The New Times, Murangira said that the incident occurred on January 11 where the suspect poured hot water on her 52-year old husband. “In a preliminary questioning by RIB, she admitted the alleged crime and claimed that she had been abused in many ways by her husband, which she said motivated her to commit the act,” Murangira said. Murangira also revealed that the suspect claimed her husband physically assaulted her, was a habitual drunk and squandered household property to finance his alcoholic habit. “She confessed that she planned the act on January 9 after being abused by the husband, adding that she was also tired of being constantly beaten,” he added, stressing however that an investigation would determine the veracity of her claims. RIB reminds everyone that any sort of revenge is punishable by law and urges people to report any abuse instead of taking the law in their hands. “We urge everyone to always contact the RIB if they are unable to resolve their conflict,” Murangira said. He also calls the victims of violence to approach Isange One-Stop Centers in District Hospital before suffering from battered person syndrome. Murangira explained that battered person syndrome is a psychological condition that is developed when people experience long-term abuse and this happens mostly between intimate partners mostly when they feel helpless or do not want to disclose the abuse. The abuse may be physical, emotional, or sexual. Commenting on the solution to avoid this syndrome he said that victims have to seek help from ISANGE One Stop Center. However, he added that battered person syndrome is not an excuse to not be prosecuted. The suspect is being held at Sake RIB Station while investigations are ongoing before the file can be submitted to prosecution for further management. The victim is currently being treated at Kibungo Hospital, according to Murangira. According to law the Intentional assault or battery crime any person who, wilfully, injures, beats, or commits any serious violence against another person, commits an offense. Upon conviction, a person is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than three (3) years and not more than five (5) years and a fine of not less than Rwf 500,000 and not more than Rwf 1,000,000. However, If assault or battery is committed with premeditation or ambush, the offender is liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than 10 years and not more than 15 years and a fine of not less than Rwf 3,000,000) and not more than Rwf 5,000,000.
