A government critic dies in custody in Rwanda, drawing calls for an independent probe
Rwanda Correctional Service said Karasira died after taking prescribed medicine during release processing, and a post-mortem is pending.
- On Wednesday, Aimable Karasira died at Nyarugenge District Hospital as he was being processed for release from prison in Kigali, according to the Rwanda Correctional Service.
- Karasira, a 48-year-old former lecturer, was serving a five-year sentence for inciting division, having already completed four years of his term awaiting trial.
- The Rwanda Correctional Service claimed Karasira overdosed on prescribed medication while in transit awaiting release, yet activists cited Rwanda's documented history of suspicious deaths in detention.
- Human Rights Watch urged an independent investigation by a body of experts, invoking the Minnesota Protocol to demand accountability for the death in custody of a political opponent.
- Karasira's death mirrors the 2020 in-custody death of singer and critic Kizito Mihigo, underscoring Rwanda's pattern of repression against dissenting voices under President Paul Kagame.
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21 Articles
Aimable Karasira openly criticized Paul Kagame's regime on his YouTube channel. After five years in prison, he died on Thursday 7 May, the very day of his release. The authorities are talking about an overdose of drugs, but human rights organisations are calling for an independent investigation.
Rights group calls for investigation after death of Rwanda govt critic in custody
Aimable Karasira died on Wednesday from a drug overdose, according to Rwandan authorities. But Human Rights Watch called Karasira's death suspicious, saying Kigali bore the burden of proving he was not unlawfully killed
Rwandan YouTuber dies of alleged overdose on day of release from prison
Nairobi, May 8, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls for an independent and credible investigation into the death of Rwandan YouTube commentator Aimable Karasira Uzaramba on Wednesday, the day of his scheduled release from prison at the end of his five-year sentence. In a statement, the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) said that 48-year-old Karasira died...
Associated Press News
A government critic dies in custody in Rwanda, drawing calls for an independent probe
A Rwandan academic and government critic died in custody as he was set to be freed from jail, immediately raising concern from a prominent rights group that urged an investigation into the death of Aimable Karasira.
Rwanda: Critic Dies in Prison on Release Day
Click to expand Image Aimable Karasira. © Private (Nairobi) – Rwandan authorities should conduct an effective, independent, and transparent investigation into the death in custody of Aimable Karasira, a Rwandan academic and outspoken government critic, on the day he was set to be released from prison, Human Rights Watch said today.Karasira’s prosecution and imprisonment are emblematic of Rwanda’s crackdown on dissent and free expression. His dea…
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