The Michelangelo Towers hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, Thursday, Jan. 2, 2014. Rwanda’s former spy chief Patrick Karegeya was found dead, possibly strangled, in his room at the hotel, police said Thursday, and opposition leaders immediately accused Rwandan President Paul Kagame of ordering his assassination. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)
January 02, 2014 - 12:52 AM
JOHANNESBURG - Rwandan opposition leaders say the country's former spy chief has been found strangled in a hotel in South Africa and accused President Paul Kagame of ordering his assassination.
The opposition coalition Rwandan National Congress said Thursday that Patrick Karegeya, a former colonel and longtime ally in war who turned against Kagame in peace, was found strangled in a room at Johannesburg's plush Michelangelo Towers hotel.
Congress co-ordinator Theogene Rudasingwa told The Associated Press in a telephone call from Washington that it was unclear if Karegeya was killed on Tuesday or Wednesday.
He said the death follows a pattern of attacks ordered by Kagame — accusations the Rwandan government vehemently denies.
Gunmen twice tried to kill Lt. Gen. Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa while he was living in exile in Johannesburg.
News from © The Associated Press, 2014