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US programme leads to arrest of key genocide suspect

    NAIROBI

    The US Rewards Programme - which offers financial incentives for information leading to the arrest of key genocide suspects from Rwanda - has been instrumental in finding and apprehending suspect Jean-Baptiste Gatete, according to the African Rights advocacy group.

    "There can be little doubt that without the new impetus generated by the Rewards for Justice Programme, Jean-Baptiste Gatete would still be free," the group said in a statement.

    Not only is Gatete "a prominent genocidaire" in his own right, African Rights said, but he has also worked closely with other key suspects indicted by, and in the custody of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

    Describing Gatete as "a primary target", it added that "a thorough and careful investigation into the atrocities committed by Gatete will also yield rich information about the charges" facing him.

    African Rights accused him of chairing a meeting on 6 April 1994 in which "crucial decisions" about the genocide in Murambi - where he had been mayor for over 10 years - were taken.

    Gatete was arrested by local police in Ngombe village, north of Brazzaville, the Hirondelle news agency reported. He is believed to have entered the Republic of Congo in 1996 under the name of Jean Nsengiyumva. Until his arrest, he worked as a French teacher, the agency added.

    Gatete's arrest, which follows that of ex-FAR chief of staff Augustin Bizimungu in Angola on 2 August, was a second victory for the Rewards Programme, African Rights noted.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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