Ban-Ki Moon welcomes Mbarushimana’s transfer to ICC

KIGALI - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Wednesday welcomed the arrest and subsequent transfer of the Executive Secretary of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) Callixte Mbarushimana, to the International Criminal Court (ICC), in The Hague. According to a statement, Ban also welcomed the arrest of other FDLR leaders, Ignace Murwanashyaka and Straton Musoni, in Germany “In taking these steps, Germany is heeding the Security Council’s repeated call on all States to prosecute FDLR elements in their territories.” “This cooperative burden-sharing in prosecuting individuals for serious international crimes will greatly advance the fight against impunity. Legal action against FDLR leaders also reinforces efforts to demobilize and repatriate FDLR fighters, which would significantly contribute to stabilizing the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.” Mbarushimana was arrested in France in October last year and has since been fighting legal battles to avoid extradition to the ICC, which indicted him for the crimes against humanity which were committed by FDLR in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He is expected to appear before ICC judges today for mention of his case, while Germany’s Federal Prosecution is continuing investigations into Murwanashyaka and Musoni. Ends

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Ban-Ki Moon welcomes Mbarushimana’s transfer to ICC