Four separate teams of investigators and judges are in the country to compile testimonies against several Genocide fugitives and top leaders of FDLR currently living in Europe. Information acquired from the prosecution indicates that a seven-man team from France arrived in the country to investigate Pascal Simbikangwa for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “The team arrived on May 8, and it is made up two judges, three investigators and two court clerks. They will be here for two weeks,” said the Prosecution Spokesman, Augustin Nkusi. A Norwegian has also been in the country since April 29 investigating Sadi Bugingo over killings in the former Kibungo prefecture. “Another large team of German investigators are in Kigali and they are working on the case of Ignace Murwanashyaka and Straton Musoni for war crimes, crimes against humanity and establishing and heading a terrorist group,” said Nkusi. “A fourth team from the International Criminal Court (ICC) is also investigating France-based Callixte Mbarushimana on similar charges,” the spokesman disclosed. The three are the top leaders of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) militia based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Meanwhile three other teams from the United Kingdom, United States, and the Netherlands are expected in the country soon to compile evidence of Genocide fugitives living in their countries. “On May 15, the Crown Prosecution service will be in Rwanda to investigate a fugitive code-named ‘CM’. The team will be led by James Lewic, Q.C” revealed Nkusi. He added that another team from the U.S will arrive on 13 May and will be in the country up to June 4, working on other cases. Nkusi added that the team will be led by Dr. Jeffrey Richter, and among the cases they will be investigating, is that of Michel Twagirayezu, the former President of the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda and a former vice-president of the World Council of Churches. He is accused of having incited and supervised the Genocide and worked closely with the killers in the Presbyterian stronghold of Kirinda, Kibuye, betraying parishioners and fellow-clergy alike. Twagirayezu is also accused of drawing up lists of Tutsis to be killed and also allegedly killed an entire Tutsi family at a roadblock. Another person under the U.S Team’s microscope is Fidel Twizere, accused of Genocide in the Kanombe suburb of Kigali City. Another Dutch team is also expected in the country this week working on the case of Augustin Basebya, a former Member of Parliament, and his wife only identified as Yvonne for their role in the Genocide in Gikondo another Kigali City suburb. After the Genocide, Basebya worked with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) but his contract was later terminated after coming under suspicion of having participated in the Genocide. He then sought refuge in Netherlands. Ends
