451 killed since Burundi's crisis in April 2015: police

At least 451 persons including 374 civilians and 77 policemen were killed since the outbreak of Burundi's crisis in April 2015, the Burundian police spokesman said here on Tuesday in a press conference.

"Since the beginning of the insurgency movement on April 17, 2015 launched opposition parties and which was followed by civil society organizations on April 26 last year, 77 policemen were killed and 374 civilians died," Burundian Police Spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye said while presenting the final report on the one year-long Burundian crisis.

According to Nkurikiye, 367 police agents were injured and on the civilians' side, 368 were injured.

He added that 12 policemen became disabled and eight police agents were abducted.

"59 police agents were taken to prison for misbehaving during the insurgency and 487 insurgents are also in prison since the beginning of the insurgency for crimes they committed," said Nkurikiye.

He indicated that 38 policemen were sacked from the security ministry for "heavy" offences they committed during the insurgency.

Nkurikiye added that several arms were seized from the hands of insurgents.

"We seized 946 guns of different types, 941 grenades, 165 bombs and 50,500 ammunitions," said Nkurikiye.

Burundi is facing a political turmoil that broke out since April 2015 following the announcement by Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza that he would be seeking a third term.

His candidature, which was opposed by the opposition and civil society groups, resulted into a wave of protests, violence and even a failed coup on May 13, 2015.

Over 400 persons are reported to have been killed since then while some 240,000 citizens sought exile in neighboring countries. Endit