UN TRIBUNAL CONFIRMS ARREST OF FORMER RWANDAN MILITARY OFFICER IN CONGOBRAZZAVILLE

Arusha, February 18, 2002 (FH) - The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on Tuesday confirmed the arrest of former commander of Ngoma military camp in the south Rwanda province of Butare, Lieutenant Ildephonse Hategekimana in Congo Brazzaville. Hategekimana was arrested on Friday by Congolese police.

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"I can confirm that Lt. Ildephonse Hategekimana has been arrested", said ICTR spokesperson, Roland Amoussouga. He declined to give details regarding the arrest and transfer of the suspect. He is wanted by the ICTR for charges of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in the Butare region during the 1994 genocide. Hategekimana is also on a list of alleged architects of the genocide published by the US government. A reward fund of $5 millions has been set up for information leading to their arrest. Hategekimana is jointly accused with two other military officers; Lt. Col. Tharcisse Muvunyi and Capt. Ildephonse Nizeyimana. Muvunyi is in ICTR detention in Arusha whereas Nizeyimana is still at large. According to an ICTR indictment, the three suspects incited, encouraged and facilitated killings and looting perpetrated, among others, by Interahamwe(militia) and soldiers. Among the scenes of killings in which the three are implicated are; Ngoma parish, groupe scolare Ngoma (a secondary school), a Benebikira convent in Sovu, Matyazo dispensary and the Muslim quarters of Butare town. All locations are in Butare province. Hategekimana is the second genocide suspect to be arrested in CongoBrazzaville after former mayor of Murambi in the north eastern Rwanda province of Mutara, JeanBaptiste Gatete. The exmayor was arrested September, 2002. Congolese authorities have also reported that they are searching for former chief of the Rwandan presidential guards, Protais Mpiranya. He is wanted by the ICTR and also appears on the US most wanted list of genocide suspects. GG/FH (HT'0218e)