Burundi : a 76-year-old man sentenced to a life jail despite lack of evidence in a rape case

SOS Médias Burundi

Bujumbura, October 6, 2025 – Lazare Safari, a disabled man in his seventies, has been detained since 2021 in Bujumbura’s central prison, known as Mpimba, after being accused by his tenant, Jean Nkurikiye, father of 7-year-old P.I., of raping the girl. Convicted in December 2023 by the Ntahangwa First Instance Court (north of the commercial capital), he is serving a life jail sentence despite no medical evidence being presented.

Lazare Safari, 76 years old, suffering from a deformed spine, poor eyesight, and impaired hearing, a widower living alone, has been detained in Bujumbura’s central prison, known as Mpimba, since 2021. He was imprisoned following a complaint by his tenant, Jean Nkurikiye, P.I.’s father, who accused him of raping the girl. Lazare Safari’s neighbors strongly reject these accusations.

A controversial arrest in Buterere

In 2021, Lazare Safari was sitting at home in Buterere (north of Bujumbura) when he was arrested by members of the CNDD-FDD youth league, the Imbonerakure, led by his tenant Jean Nkurikiye, who owed him six months’ unpaid rent. The Imbonerakure are often cited in acts of assassination and other abuses against opponents or perceived opponents. Officials from the ruling party deny these accusations and, in turn, accuse the organizations that denounce them of seeking to tarnish the image of the Imbonerakure and that of Burundi.

They took him to the administrative district, accusing him of raping P.I., in what appears to be a ploy to seize his plot of land.

The initial contact with the judicial police officer (OPJ) went well : seeing that the old man denied the facts and without any other evidence, the OPJ let him go. But the next day, Jean Nkurikiye mobilized other Imbonerakure and police officers to escort him back. The septuagenarian spent a week in a police cell before being taken to Bujumbura’s central prison, known as Mpimba.

A trial without evidence

According to a judgment notice consulted by SOS Médias Burundi, Lazare Safari was sentenced in December 2023 by the First Instance Court of Ntahangwa (north of the commercial capital) to a life jail and ordered to pay one million Burundi francs to Jean Nkurikiye, father of P.I., in damages. During the trial, no medical evidence was presented.

With the help of his fellow inmates, Lazare appealed to the Ntahangwa Court of Appeal. Nearly two years later, no response has been received. Meanwhile, the tenant has taken possession of his plot and continues to live there, unmolested.

Questions about power and justice

The situation raises serious questions : where does Jean Nkurikiye derive such power? In northern Bujumbura and its surrounding areas, there has been a resurgence of property thefts, often perpetrated by people holding official positions, sometimes remotely, without direct confrontation with the victims.

Justice and fundamental rights

What is the real basis for the courts to convict someone for rape while the facts have not been established? Is there any legal compensation for victims of miscarriages of justice? These questions remain unanswered for Lazare Safari and his family.

A silent cry for help

At 76 years old, physically disabled and vulnerable, Lazare Safari continues to serve his sentence in difficult conditions, awaiting a slow appeal.

A spokesperson for the Directorate General of Prison Management and the Ministry of Justice were not available to comment on this matter.