Four senior leaders of the Popular Forces of Burundi (FPB) rebel group were arrested and extradited from Tanzania to Burundi by security forces.
A released statement mentioned the number 1 and number 2 of the group too were arrested on October 21 in Ngara and were sent to Burundi on October 22.
The top two leaders are named Jeremie Ntiranyibagira and Edouard Nshimirimana.
The statement added, “On October 22, they underwent an irregular extradition to Burundi, where their lives are in danger.”
However, the mentioned names in the statement still awaits confirmation from official sources either from Tanzania or Burundi.
Meanwhile, a news website named Ikiriho claims no such extradition had taken place on October 22 from Tanzania.
Ikiriho is close to government of Burundi and its denial came through the site’s official Twitter account.
Senior figures in the rebel group said the statement is authentic and the names are of Republican Forces of Burundi, which is a rebel militia that actively operates in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and widely opposes President of Burundi, Pierre Nkurunziza.
It is learned the rebel militia comprises mainly of police and soldiers who were part of the failed coup following which they fled to Congo.
Earlier this year, in the month of August, the group announced renaming as Popular Forces of Burundi and their leader was General Jeremie Ntiranyibagira and deputy leader was Colonel Nshimirimana.
A source said both were on a mission to Tanzania.
The person added, “We think that the Burundian authorities are hiding for the time being that they were sent immediately to Burundi.”
Burundi is under crisis since April 2015.
