The government auctioned off a shopping centre owned by Pan African Tobacco Group founder and controlling shareholder Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa that was seized in April for non-payment of taxes, Xinhua reported.

Union Trade Centre, located in the capital, was bought by Kigali Investment Company for USD 8 million (EUR 6.8 million), well below its estimated worth, Xinhua reported. Ayabatwa has been accused by the government of trying to topple the government led by Paul Kagame. Ayabatwa reportedly is living in exile in Canada.