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Police arrest 3 in connection with killing of Burundian environment minister

Xinhua, January 1, 2017 Adjust font size:

Three persons including two watchmen and a woman have been arrested in connection with the killing, early Sunday, of Burundian Environment Minister Emmanuel Niyonkuru in the Burundian capital Bujumbura, the police spokesman said.

"Police have arrested three persons including two watchmen and a woman in connection with the assassination of the minister for water, environment and territory planning in front of his house in Rohero," said Burundian Police Spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye.

According to him, the woman was in the same car driven by the killed minister.

"Early investigations reveal that the killer was in the same car driven by the minister. This means that it is the woman who shot dead the minister, or else she knows who killed him because they were in the same car," Nkurikiye emphasized.

He added that the minister was killed in front of his house after leaving the bar known as "Chez Andre" in Rohero neighborhood.

"Some people at Bar Chez Andre will also be arrested for their alleged involvement in the assassination of the minister," Nkurikiye said.

Burundian Water, Environment and Territory Planning Minister Emmanuel Niyonkuru was killed by a gunman who used a pistol to shoot him.

Nkurikiye said the minister was killed around 00:45 local time Sunday (22:45 GMT Saturday) as he was driving to his house.

Born at Rutegama in Muramvya province, Emmanuel Niyonkuru, 54, was an economist and was the minister for water, environment and territory planning since August 2015.

Between 1992 and 2015, he worked at the Burundi Central Bank.

Violence targeting senior leaders is again on the rise in the east African nation.

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 500 persons are reported to have been killed since then while over 300,000 citizens sought exile in neighboring countries. Endit