Congo asks Burundi to extradite politician

KINSHASA, Congo – Congo's information minister says his country is asking Burundi to extradite an opposition politician accused of treason for allegedly plotting with neighboring Rwanda to destabilize the country.

Information Minister Lambert Mende says his government has proof that opposition legislator Roger Lumbala was in contact with the personal secretary of Rwanda's defense minister to plan an insurrection in Congo's central Kasai province, rich in diamonds. Rwanda has strenuously denied U.N. charges that it is behind a rebellion in mineral-rich eastern Congo.

Mende said Lumala "faces a case of presumed high treason" and expects Burundi to return him for trial.

He said Lumbala had fled the country Sept. 3 and taken refuge in the South African embassy in Bujumbura, capital of neighboring Burundi. The South African government did not comment Sunday night