Police have arrested Emmanuel Irakoze, one of the suspects caught on CCTV camera viciously assaulting Jeannette Tuyisenge, a mobile money agent, in a video that recently went viral on social media platforms. Police also disclosed that another suspect, Elias Irumva, was shot dead while trying to resist arrest. He was shot on Thursday around 1 pm at his home in Nyamirambo Sector in Nyarugenge District. His body was taken to Kacyiru hospital. Irakoze, 27, who was arrested on Wednesday at his home in Kanombe, was paraded before media by Rwanda National Police and Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB). He was also found in possession of marijuana at his home. The employee of NPD Cotraco, a construction firm, Irakoze blamed his misdeeds on alcohol and his deceased counterpart Irumva. “We followed her to the toilet and assaulted her but it was not my plan…I feel bad and I cannot attempt to apologise,” he said. CCTV camera footages that circulated on social media on Wednesday, February 26 showed Irakoze and Irumva pouncing on Tuyisenge, strangling her and kicking her on the head and abdomen. Upon realising that the mother of two was now too weak to stand on her own, let alone pursue them, the assailants sped off with her bag, which reportedly contained Rwf250,000, airtime vouchers and two mobile phones among other valuables. RIB Spokesperson, Marie-Michelle Umuhoza, told the media that Irakoze is suspected of assaulting and causing bodily harm, theft and possession of illegal substances. Umuhoza explained that charges and punishments may vary depending on the evidence gathered during investigations. However, if found guilty of the current charges of theft with violence and threat might Irakoze could spend between 5 to 10 years in jail. For possession of illegal substances, article 594 of the Rwandan Penal Code states that; any person who unlawfully makes, transforms, imports, or sells narcotics and psychotropic substances within the country, shall be liable to a term of imprisonment from three to five years and a fine of between Rwf500,000 and Rwf5 million. Tuyisenge, a resident of Nyabisindu Sector in Gasabo District, is currently receiving medical attention at Kacyiru Hospital. She is nursing a wound on the head and complains of abdominal pains. Her sister said medics were still conducting further tests to ascertain whether the attackers had inflicted damage on any of her internal organs.
