Two men were yesterday arrested in Kigali for allegedly inciting illegal demonstration and disrupting public order, the Rwanda National Police (RNP) has said.The duo, Sylvain Sibomana and Dominique Shyirambere, was arrested outside the Supreme Court in Kimihurura, Gasabo district, where Victoire Ingabire was appealing last year’s High Court ruling.The suspects were leading about 20 people, who were demonstrating outside the courtroom, assaulted police officers who tried to stop them from staging an illegal demonstration, according to police.Police say the two men face charges of assaulting security agents on duty and inciting public violence.IGP cautionsSpeaking to The New Times, the Inspector General of Police, Emmanuel K. Gasana, cautioned anyone with intent to violate the law, adding that police will not tolerate such subversive activities.“Rwanda National Police will not tolerate actions that cause insecurity. The law punishes illegal and violent demonstrations,” he said.Sibomana was also a wanted man following a case filed in Karongi High Court, for allegedly holding an illegal public meeting in Rutsiro District, Western Province, late last year. According to article 685 of the Penal Code, “any person who holds a public meeting or demonstration on public ways without notifying the competent authority shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of eight days but less than six months and a fine of Rwf100,000 to Rwf1 million or one of these penalties.” However, under the same article, if a person holds a public meeting or demonstration on public ways despite refusal by a competent authority, that person shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of six months to one year and a fine of Rwf200,000 to Rwf3 million or one of these penalties.
