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Three Italian nuns found killed in Burundi Three Italian nuns found killed in Burundi 'after armed robbery'
(about 11 hours later)
Three missionary nuns were found killed in their convent near the capital of Burundi on Sunday, according to officials. Three Italian nuns were found killed in their Burundi convent on Sunday, officials have said.
The Italian foreign ministry confirmed the women were found dead at the Kamenge institution in a northern suburb of Bujumbura, the capital of the east-African nation, but declined to give further details. The Italian foreign ministry confirmed the women were found dead at the Kamenge institution in a northern suburb of Bujumbura, the capital of the east-African nation.
Father Mario Pulicini, who is responsible for the parish, named the two nuns who were found in their dormitory as Lucia Pulici - who was 75 and due to celebrate her birthday on Monday - and Olga Raschietti, 82.Father Mario Pulicini, who is responsible for the parish, named the two nuns who were found in their dormitory as Lucia Pulici - who was 75 and due to celebrate her birthday on Monday - and Olga Raschietti, 82.
Father Mario told Misna, the news agency for Italian missionaries, that that a fellow sister, 79-year-old Bernadetta Boggian, who discovered the bodies of the two women was later found dead herself. He said they were found decapitated in their dormitory on Sunday.
He told Reuters a third nun, 79-year-old Bernadetta Boggian, was found dead early on Monday morning. The killings appeared to have happened at separate times.
Italian nun Olga Raschietti pictured among children (AFP Photo/Missionarie di Maria)Italian nun Olga Raschietti pictured among children (AFP Photo/Missionarie di Maria)
On the evening of the first killings, nuns telephoned Father Mario to express their fears that the attacker was still in the convent. "It is very difficult to know the reason behind the killing, but nothing can justify it," Father Mario said.
When help arrived on Monday, Boggian was herself found dead, Father Mario said. Evidence showed that two of the nuns had been raped before they were killed, police spokesman Hermenegilde Harimenshi said. Mr Harimenshi was quoted by Reuters as saying they had been "partially decapitated.”
“It is very difficult to know the reason behind the killing, but nothing can justify it,” Father Mario added. Italian nun Bernadette Boggia (AFP Photo/Missionarie di Maria) The Catholic diocese in Parma, Italy, said on its website that the death of Ms Pulici and Ms Raschietti appeared to have been "the tragic outcome of an armed robbery by a mentally unbalanced person".
However, the nun’s home Catholic diocese in Parma, Italy, said on its website that the death of Pulici and Raschietti appeared to have been “the tragic outcome of an armed robbery”.
Pope Francis has since responded to the tragic deaths by sending his condolences in a telegram to Bujumbura's archbishop.Pope Francis has since responded to the tragic deaths by sending his condolences in a telegram to Bujumbura's archbishop.
Italian nun Bernadette Boggia (AFP Photo/Missionarie di Maria) The Holy See said he “learned with great sadness of the murder” of the three “faithful and devout nuns in these tragic circumstances”. The Holy See said he “learned with great sadness of the murder” of the three “faithful and devout nuns in these tragic circumstances”.
Two suspects have been detained in connection with the deaths, police said. Italian nun Lucia Pulici pictured with two children (AFP Photo/Missionarie di Maria) Police said three suspects had been detained for questioning.
Pulici and Raschietti had served in Burundi for seven years, after working several years in the east of another central African state, the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ms Pulici and Ms Raschietti had served in Burundi for seven years, after working several years in the east of another central African state, the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Italian nun Lucia Pulici pictured with two children (AFP Photo/Missionarie di Maria) Additional reporting by Reuters and AP Additional reporting by Reuters and AP