Wife of opposition politician shot in the head at hair salon

onnaedo

March 16, 2015 5:53 PM

Speaking at a press conference, Burundian opposition politician Agathon Rwasa said that his wife was being treated for head injuries at a local hospital, and her condition was not critical.

Annonciate Haberisoni, the wife of prominent Burundian opposition politician Agathon Rwasa has been shot and wounded at a hair salon in the country's capital, Bujumbura, BBC reports.

Gunmen reportedly opened fire on Haberisoni as she was waiting for her hair to be done. They attackers fled afterwards.

Mr Rwasa accused the government of attempting to assassinate his wife but the government has not commented on the allegation. Police have however said they were investigating the attack.

Tensions have been rising in Burundi ahead of elections in May and June.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr Rwasa said that his wife was being treated for head injuries at a local hospital, and her condition was not critical.

Reports say eye witness accounts allude to the fact that Mrs Haberisoni's life was probably saved by her hair dresser who saw the gunman taking aim and pushed her out of the way.

Rwasa is a former rebel leader and an influential member of the opposition Forces for National Liberation (FNL) party who came out of hiding in 2013 and said he would contest this year's election.

Meanwhile, President Pierre Nkurunziza, who took office in 2005 following the end of a 12-year civil war, has not yet indicated whether he will step down or run for a third term.

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