KIGALI, Aug. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) on Thursday announced the arrest of Rwanda Food and Drugs Authority (Rwanda FDA) Director General Emile Bienvenu as part of a nationwide crackdown on illicit alcoholic beverages.
Bienvenu was among 18 people arrested in connection with the ongoing investigations. The group includes officials from the Rwanda FDA and the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB), as well as several local government leaders.
Speaking at a press briefing, RIB spokesperson Thierry Murangira said Bienvenu is being investigated for allegedly providing documents without complying with decisions made by the relevant technical committee.
RSB officials, meanwhile, are being investigated over the alleged illegal issuance of Standardization Mark certificates, Murangira said, adding that investigations would continue to identify and hold accountable all individuals involved in the production and distribution of illicit alcoholic beverages.
At the same press briefing, Rwanda National Police spokesperson Boniface Rutikanga said cases of fighting and assault fell to 188 between Aug. 1 and 12, from 345 cases recorded between July 15 and 31, attributing the decline to the ongoing removal of illicit alcoholic beverages and other substances from circulation.
