GENOCIDE SUSPECT AND ANGLICAN BISHOP DIES IN UN CUSTODY

Arusha, January 24, 2003 (FH) - Anglican bishop and genocide suspect at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Samuel Musabyimana, died on Friday. "He passed away after a long illness", the acting spokesperson of the ICTR, Bocar Sy told Hirondelle.

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He died in KCMC hospital in Moshi, 90 km from the ICTR. Musabyimana, 45, was first arrested on immigration charges in South Africa in September 2000. He was deported to Kenya shortly before an ICTR team reached South Africa to request for his transfer to the ICTR to face genocide charges. He disappeared in Kenya until his arrest and transfer to the ICTR in April 2001. Musabyimana was accused of genocide and crimes against humanity in connection with killings of ethnic Tutsis refugees at Shyogwe diocese in the central Rwanda province of Gitarama. The killings took place during the 1994 genocide. Musabyimana was then bishop of Shyogwe diocese. He was also accused of several other killings around Shyogwe diocese. Musabyimana was still awaiting the scheduling of his trial. He however pleaded not guilty to all charges against him during his arraignment a few days after his arrest. He is the first genocide suspect to die in ICTR custody. Four other clergymen, three Catholics and a SeventhDay Adventist await trial at the ICTR. GG/CE/FH(MU'0124e)