Mayor warns against escaping from Gacaca

HUYE — The district Mayor, Francois Uhagaze has warned Genocide suspects in Mbazi Sector against attempting to escape justice. He was reacting to reports that some residents who are suspected to have committed Genocide related crimes are fleeing the sector for fear of being prosecuted. The Mayor, speaking at Byiza Stadium, said that the suspects will be apprehended no matter where they go. “There is no refuge for any Genocide offender, because this is a crime that is timeless,” he said. Last month, a new mode of information gathering process on the killings at the Byiza stadium was initiated. Hundreds of victims are said to have been shot at this stadium. The survivors say that the shooting was augmented by machete and club wielding local residents who joined the government forces at the time. “The truth about the terrible killings at the Byiza stadium has not been told to date,” said Claudine Mukamudenge, the Sector Executive Secretary. “We have received vital information from Genocide convicts who pleaded guilty but most of the people identified have since fled, the figure has now risen to 40,” said Mukamudenge. Josephine Nyirandikubwimana, the Secretary of Ruryango Gacaca Court said that the suspects began to flee on August 26 when the information gathering exercise began. “After this information gathering exercise, we will be ready to conduct trials whether the suspects are here or not,” she said. Ends