By Ebi Kesiena
Burundi Police on Friday briefly detained a journalist investigating a grenade attack in the commercial capital, Bujumbura.
According to his radio station and an official, the journalist was investigating series of explosions this week that killed at least five people.
Radio Bonesha FM had earlier said their reporter, Aimé-Richard Niyonkuru, had been mishandled and arrested by police in Bujumbura’s Kamenge neighbourhood while he was investigating on Thursday.
However, Radio Bonesha FM has stated that the arrested journalist has been released. “Niyonkuru is still waiting for his recorder. He spent many hours at the Special Research Office under the hot sun,” the official said.
Police spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the arrest.
Burundi, a nation of about 11.5 million people, has suffered decades of war and ethnic and political violence. The United Nations says the youth wing of the ruling party and the security services are involved in the torture, gang-rape and murder of political opponents, charges the government denies.
