Human Rights Watch has called on Rwanda’s government to investigate the death of prominent government critic Aimable Karasira, who died just hours before he was expected to be released from prison.
The international rights organization criticized the circumstances surrounding Karasira’s death, saying the Rwandan government has a responsibility to prove he was not unlawfully killed since he died while under state custody.
According to Rwanda Correctional Services, Karasira died on May 6, 2026, after allegedly consuming a large amount of medication prescribed for mental health treatment shortly after being released from prison.
Authorities said he was rushed to a hospital in Kigali, where he later died.
Hillary Sengabo said prison authorities were waiting for a medical report to establish the exact cause of death.
However, Karasira’s lawyer, Felicien Gashema, said he was shocked by the reports, explaining that he had met his client days before his release and found him optimistic and in stable condition.
Other lawyers, activists, and political commentators also questioned the official explanation, with several calling for an independent investigation into the death.
Human Rights Watch said the case reflects growing concerns about repression against government critics and opposition voices in Rwanda.
The organization also compared Karasira’s death to that of Kizito Mihigo, the popular gospel singer and government critic who died in police custody in 2020 under controversial circumstances.
Rwandan authorities had said Mihigo died by suicide, but human rights organizations and many Rwandans disputed the official account and demanded further investigations.
Rights groups have also pointed to another controversial prison death involving rapper Jay Polly, who died in detention in 2021 after authorities said he suffered health complications.
The repeated deaths of government critics and public figures while in custody have continued fueling concern among rights organizations about political freedoms and the safety of dissenting voices in Rwanda.
Karasira had become known for openly criticizing the Rwandan government on social media and online platforms, making him one of the country’s most visible opposition voices in recent years.
