Rwandan exiles in London ‘threatened by hitman’
Two Rwandan exiles living in London were warned last week by UK police that they faced the threat of assassination.
It has emerged that the men were visited by officers who told them they were in danger of being killed by a hitman sent by the Rwandan government.
Shortly before the warning was issued, a Rwandan man suspected of involvement was prevented from entering the UK.
The Rwandan High Commission in London has denied involvement in any alleged plot to kill the two exiles.
“The government of Rwanda does not threaten the lives of its citizens wherever they live,” High Commissioner Ernest Rwamucyo said.
'Scared'
The two men – Rene Mugenzi and Jonathan Musonera – have both been involved in political groups opposed to the ruling party of Rwanda's President Paul Kagame.
A week ago, UK police officers knocked on their doors and told them that they could not guarantee their safety. They advised them to increase the security around their homes or move away.
The police gave them written statements saying: “The Rwandan government poses an immediate threat to your life. The threat could come in any form.”
It is understood that shortly before visiting the two men, counter-terrorism officers had stopped a Rwandan man as he tried to enter the country at Folkestone.
They questioned the unidentified man and turned him away.
Mr Musonera said he and his family were very scared.
“I was not surprised, because this is not the first time they've tried to disturb the opposition,” he told the BBC's Focus on Africa programme.
“I take this problem very seriously. I used to drive my car. Right now I stopped because the police told me to use limited movement or go out with friends.
“My wife, she is scared. We have cut off the home phone. The children now they stay at home, they can't go out. They can't go out with friends. I stopped visitors coming to our home.”
Source: BBC