Condemning Despicable Killing of Civilians, Police in Burundi, Secretary-General Urges Authorities to Undertake ‘Rigorous and Prompt’ Investigation

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General condemns the killing of nine civilians and two police officers in Bujumbura on 13 October amid exchanges of heavy of gunfire in several neighbourhoods of the city.  The civilians, including a staff member of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Evariste Mbonihankuye, were reportedly shot at close range.

The Secretary-General extends his deepest condolences to the families of the victims.  He urges Burundian authorities to undertake a rigorous and prompt investigation into the circumstances and motives behind these despicable crimes in order to ensure that their perpetrators are brought to justice.