RIB confirms arrest of MP-elect accused of genocide
Friday, August 23, 2024
RIB has confirmed the arrest of an elected Member of Parliament over his alleged role in the Genocide against the Tutsi.

Germain Musonera, who was elected as a Member of Parliament in the July elections, is in detention after information pointed to his involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, according to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).

Musonera, 59, appeared on the list of MPs from Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF Inkotanyi) coalition, which was released by the National Electoral Commission on July 22.

He is not on the list of MPs who took the oath of office on August 14.

"Musonera is currently detained at RIB Kicukiro Station as investigation continues,” Spokesperson Thierry Murangira told The New Times, adding that Musonera was arrested on August 21.

"The file is being prepared to be submitted to prosecution,” he said.

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He said that Musonera is suspected of participating in the killing of a man called Jean Marie Vianney Kayihura in the former Nyabikenke Commune, currently Kiyumba Sector in Muhanga District.

After RIB received the case on July 19, Murangira noted that a subsequent probe found "serious grounds” for suspecting Musonera of a role in Kayihura’s murder in 1994.

In the preliminary interrogation, RIB stated, Musonera admitted that he frequented roadblocks where Tutsi were killed.

Considering those factors and the fact that the crime in question is a serious one, Murangira said, the investigations body determined that Musonera had to be prosecuted while in detention.

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Murangira said that there were perpetrators of the Genocide against the Tutsi who have yet to be brought to justice 30 years later.

He said the fact that the remains of the Genocide victims are still being discovered reflects the cruelty with which the massacres were perpetrated.

"The truth will be found, and all those who played a role in the Genocide against the Tutsi will be brought to justice,” he said, encouraging people to share information that could lead to the whereabouts of Genocide fugitives.