At least eight people have died in shootings in Burundi’s capital Bujumbura, an administrator has said, the latest in a series of attacks to hit the city since a disputed presidential election.
Local residents told the news agency Reuters that the police were behind the killings and had been accompanied by unarmed members of the ruling CNDD-FDD party’s youth wing – Imbonerakure – who stole items such as mobile phones from houses.
Residents also said most of the dead were civilians and that some had been found with their hands tied behind their backs.
Deputy police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye denied that officers had been involved in the killings and said those responsible were criminals whom the police were pursuing.
Opposition groups have accused Burundi’s government of launching a crackdown since crowds first took to the streets in May, saying President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office violated the central African state’s constitution.
Local residents told the news agency Reuters that the police were behind the killings and had been accompanied by unarmed members of the ruling CNDD-FDD party’s youth wing – Imbonerakure – who stole items such as mobile phones from houses.
Residents also said most of the dead were civilians and that some had been found with their hands tied behind their backs.
Deputy police spokesman Pierre Nkurikiye denied that officers had been involved in the killings and said those responsible were criminals whom the police were pursuing.
Opposition groups have accused Burundi’s government of launching a crackdown since crowds first took to the streets in May, saying President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for a third term in office violated the central African state’s constitution.
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