Former Mayor re-arrested in Germany

The former leader of Muvumba Commune, Onesphore Rwabukombe, was re-arrested in Germany on Monday over Genocide charges and Rwanda is negotiating his extradition, the Rwandan prosecution confirmed yesterday. Prosecutors in Germany announced the suspect’s arrest on Tuesday and their statement linked him to killings of Tutsis in 1994, especially the involvement in massacres of thousands of victims in Nyarubuye, currently in the Eastern Province. Rwabukombe had first been arrested in April but was released last month, together with Callixte Mbarushimana, another fugitive of the Genocide who is also the Secretary General of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). Speaking to The New Times yesterday, the Spokesperson of the Rwandan prosecution, Augustin Nkusi, revealed that following Rwabukombe’s release, Rwanda sent additional information that had been requested by German Prosecutors leading to re-arrest. “There is a dossier that indicts him and they had asked for some information that we sent in order to re-arrest him,” Nkusi said. Rwabukombe who is identified as O.R. was the Bourgmestre, the equivalent of mayor today, in the former Muvumba Commune. German authorities had been investigating allegations that he participated in criminal acts between October 1 1990 and December 31 1994 since March this year. “We are hopeful [that he will be extradited to Rwanda] because he has been re-arrested following his release. We see that they [Germany] have the will,” Nkusi said as he responded to the question whether Rwanda hopes to have the suspect stand trial in the country. He said the defendant is alleged to have collaborated with the former Bourgmestre of Murambi Commune Jean Baptiste Gatete in planning and organising and leading massacre of Tutsis in areas that were under their control. The arrest of Rwabukombe follows condemnations by many Rwandans who accused Germany of not doing enough to arrest genocide fugitives on its territory, and for encouraging denial of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis. Ignace Murwanashyaka, the leader of FDLR, a Genocidal force responsible for causing insecurity in the region, resides in Germany. It is mainly made up of remnants of the Interahamwe militias and the Ex-FAR who are responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Ends

National

Former Mayor re-arrested in Germany