The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today strongly condemned the killing of Jean Léonard Rugambage, journalist of the independent newspaper UMUVUGIZI suspended in Rwanda, who was shot dead on 24 to 25 June, 2010 in front of his residence in Kigali, capital of Rwanda.

“We are deeply shocked by this dreadful crime committed by cowards, whose only goal is to intimidate the journalists in order to hide the truth,” said Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office. “We firmly condemn this murder which should not remain unpunished and urge the authorities to quickly launch a thorough investigation to track down and punish the perpetrators,” he added.

Jean Léonard Rugambage, also known as Sherif,  was killed in the night of Thursday 24 to Friday 25 June, 2010 around 11 p.m. local time, by unidentified armed men who coldly shot him dead in front of his residence as he was returning home.

According to local sources, the journalist whose newspaper was recently suspended by the High Council for Media for “incitement to hatred and revolt” was investigation a story to be published in another independent newspaper in which he was highly critical of the government.

The assassination of the journalist occurred one month before the presidential elections and in a context of rising political tension.

IFJ calls on Rwandan authorities to investigate, identify, arrest and punish severely the murderers. It further demands that all political forces respect the freedom and the independence of journalists, particularly in this electoral period.

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The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide