A Rwandan gospel musician who was taken into custody last week after he reportedly attempted to flee the country has taken his own life, police say.

Kizito Mihigo was found dead in a police cell at Remera police station in the capital, Kigali, early Monday morning..

They had expected to charge him with bribery and attempting to leave the country for the purpose of going to join a rebel group.

Rwanda's news agency tweeted a police statement about the death.

Five year years ago Kizito was sentenced to 10 years in jail after being convicted of planning to kill President Paul Kagame and inciting hatred against the government.

He was pardoned by the president in 2018 on condition he only leave the country with judicial permission.

JUST IN:
Troubled singer Kizito Mihigo has allegedly committed suicide, according to @Rwandapolice statement.
This Monday morning, Kizito was found dead in police cell at Remera Station. He was recently arrested while attempting to bribe his way out of the country illegally. pic.twitter.com/pOuIrvOL2T

— Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) (@rbarwanda) February 17, 2020