Prosecution dismisses Jean de Dieu Munyaneza's arbitrary arrest claims

The National Public Prosecution Authority has dismissed claims that Jean de Dieu Munyaneza, a Rwandan who was deported from Netherlands, was arbitrarily arrested on reaching Rwanda. Prosecution was yesterday reacting to claims which were raised on Saturday evening, in Amsterdam, on the occasion of the Rwanda Day. During an interactive session with President Paul Kagame, one Maurice Rwambonera, a participant, claimed that he had managed to mobilise two people, namely Jean de Dieu Munyaneza and his brother Gervais Munyaneza, to voluntarily return home from Netherlands but the duo was arrested upon arrival at Kigali International Airport, over what he termed unknown reasons. Rwambonera who struggled to narrate the scenario, was promised a rapid answer from the Government. However, reacting to the claims, prosecution spokesperson Alain Mukurarinda explained that Munyaneza, who was deported in March over immigration issues from the Netherlands, had a genocide case to answer having been tried and convicted in absentia by Gacaca court. He was indicted for genocide crimes in January this year and deported in March alongside his brother, Mukurarinda told The New Times yesterday. “First of all, it should be noted that Jean De Dieu Munyaneza did not return home voluntarily, he was deported from Netherlands following immigration issues, equally he was a genocide fugitive since he was convicted by Gacaca in Nyanza District, and was sentenced for 15 years,” he said. “Upon his return, he was subjected to 30 days investigation by the prosecution which is still ongoing. However, we explained to him all his rights although he recently decided not to fully cooperate saying he needed legal representation.” Mukuralinda said his detention was sought and ordered by court. Since he was convicted by Gacaca in absentia, the law permits him to contest the Gacaca verdict and seek retrial in the courts, said Mukularinda. On Gervais Munyaneza, the prosecution spokesperson explained that he was released after being cleared. Jean de Dieu Munyaneza, who is today supposed to appear before the prosecution, was born in Nyanza in 1971, and was a student at Espanya Secondary School during the 1994 Genocide. Munyaneza is said to have changed his names to Jean de Dieu Mutsinzi in Amsterdam; he is scheduled to be prosecuted as soon as investigation is closed. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Prosecution dismisses Jean de Dieu Munyaneza's arbitrary arrest claims