October 13, 2017 - 12:14 PM
KIGALI, Rwanda - The mother of a former Rwanda presidential candidate told a court on Friday she was tortured while in police custody over charges of incitement.
Adeline Rwigara also said she was denied food and water for five days. But the judge quickly stopped her from speaking in Nyarugenge Intermediate Court.
Diane Rwigara, a women's rights activist, has said the charges against her, her mother and sister Anne are fabricated and linked to her criticism of the government's human rights record.
All three have denied the charges of incitement and "discrimination and sectarianism."
Also Friday, Anne Rwigara said the family has been kept in solitary confinement.
The government of the East African nation has not responded publicly to the allegations.
Authorities disqualified Diane Rwigara from running in the August election won easily by President Paul Kagame, whose government is accused by rights groups of threatening opponents.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017