Burundian students stage demonstration urging release of 2 fellows

More than 200 students at the University of Burundi Tuesday marched in the streets of the Burundian capital Bujumbura towards Mpimba prison where their two fellows are detained, urging their release.

The two students were arrested Sunday last week and transferred to Mpimba prison on Tuesday last week over accusations of "insulting" Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Other students also boycotted lectures in a bid to urge the release of their fellows that they say were "unfairly" arrested.

Police agents however intercepted the students' representatives before they could cross the bridge on Muha River on the road to Musaga neighborhood where Mpimba prison is located.

The chairman of the students' association Marie Simon Rurasuma said Tuesday has been dubbed "Black Tuesday" at the University of Burundi because their two fellows were "unfairly" arrested on Tuesday.

"The two students were arrested unfairly. There is no evidence that they defamed the Burundian president. They are only victims of refusing activities of some political leaders," said Marie Simon Rurasuma.

According to him, police agents violated students' rights by intercepting them on their way to visiting their fellows at Mpimba prison.

"We will continue demonstrations every Friday until our two fellows are released," said Rurasuma.