KIGALI - Suspected terrorists recently arrested in Kigali, have disclosed that they received financial support from renegades Kayumba Nyamwasa and Emmanuel Habyarimana to carry out terror activities and wage war on Rwanda.

Speaking to journalists, yesterday, one of the suspects, Ramathan Sibomana, said that Kayumba and Habyarimana sent them money through Western Union and MoneyGram money transfer services.

Both Kayumba and the former Minister of Defence, Habyarimana, are linked to Rwanda National Congress (RNC) and Convention National des Republicains (CNR) respectively.

Colonel Norbert Ndererimana alias Sabin Gaheza, is said to be the head of an armed group based in Binza, Rutchuru, in Virunga National Park, in eastern DRC.

"They sent money both in dollars and local regional currencies through Western Union and MoneyGram to help Gaheza coordinate his activities in the region,” Sibomana told journalists.

Gaheza is among the group of six who were arrested in Kigali as they planned to hold meetings to recruit more people and augment finances to support their cause.

Others arrested are Ibrahim Niyonzima, Asifat Kansime, Emmanuel Higiro, also known as Kabasha, and John Mutabaruka.

Sibomana said that Gaheza had no identification papers and the former helped him to withdraw the money when it was wired.

"The last money sent by Kayumba and Habyarimana, which I withdrew on behalf of Gaheza, was on March 2 which I gave him,” Sibomana said.

Sibomana added that Gaheza directly communicated with Kayumba, Habyarimana and Paul Rusesabagina on telephone.

"The day he communicated with Kayumba we were together,” he said.

Gaheza, Sibomana said, made a series of trips in the region, as the head of the group to coordinate activities, either to get new recruits or to get financial support.

Both Sibomana and Gaheza were arrested on June 13, the day they entered Rwanda, through the Kagitumba border post.

The suspects also acknowledged to have planned to commit terror acts targeting diplomats, government officials and fuel storage facilities, among others.

Gaheza told reporters that he headed an armed group called Front Nationaliste pour la Democratie et la Reconciliation au Rwanda (FRONADER), an off-shoot of RUD-Urunana, which planned to bring back King Kigeli V "unconditionally.”

Gaheza, however, said that the recruitment exercise was taxing. He explained that with the help of one, Philemon Ruzibiza, they recruited only about 20 people.

Police Spokesperson, Supt. Theos Badege, said that other suspects linked to the arrested group are still at large.

He noted that there is a partnership between Rwanda and neighbouring countries to apprehend such criminals.

Ends