Rwanda genocide suspect arrested

Renzaho is alleged to have planned killings in Kigali

By Helen Vesperini BBC, Rwanda

A leading Rwandan genocide suspect, the former prefect of the city of Kigali, has been arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Colonel Tharcisse Renzaho was immediately transferred to the International Tribunal for Rwanda in the Tanzanian city of Arusha.

1994: Year of genocide

April
Rwandan president Habyarimana killed in plane explosion

April -July
An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus killed

July
Tutsi-led rebel movement RPF captures Rwanda's capital Kigali

July
Two million Hutus flee to Zaire, now the DRC

In his capacity as prefect of Kigali, Colonel Renzaho had control over the city's police force and local councillors.

It is alleged that, far from using his position to prevent the genocide, he was zealous in coordinating the planning of the slaughter in the city.

After fleeing to the Democratic Republic of Congo at the end of the genocide, Colonel Renzaho is reported to have been among the most active of the Rwandan genocide suspects in exile.

Round-up dodge

He served as divisional commander of the former Rwandan army in exile until 1996.

The following year the colonel seems to have spent time in Nairobi where he dodged a big round up of genocide suspects conducted by the Kenyan police.

He is also reported to have been active in supplying his men with arms during his time in the Kenyan capital.

The humanitarian organisation African Rights reported that he fought off the Congolese Government side during the December 2000 fighting for the south-eastern town of Pweto.