A five-year old girl at Gihembe refugee camp in Gicumbi district, Northern Province, was allegedly defiled by a 28-year old man currently on the run, The New Times can reliably report. According to Japheth Munyangeri, in charge of the camp’s security, the victim was defiled on March 4, by a suspect identified as Bizimana Gasongo, who was immediately arrested and taken to Gicumbi police station. The camp is home to thousands of refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “We reported the case to the police which was later transferred to prosecution, but the suspect escaped from police custody before the trial could begin, Emmanuel Ndayambaje, the girl’s father told The New Times by phone over the weekend. A reliable source has said that the suspect, who is believed to have fled to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, was facilitated to escape by an insider at Gicumbi police station. “Early in the morning, Gasongo and other suspects were taken to the toilets but he was left behind as others were led back to the custody,” the source said. “The policeman on duty has been arrested”. The girl’s father said he was being harassed for continuously seeking justice from relevant authorities. “I have received threatening letters telling me that I will not succeed and that they will harm me and my family,” the girl’s father claimed. Ndayambaje claims that on March 20, anonymous people poured acid in his food which was on charcoal stove in kitchen. “We are suspecting the elder brother of the accused to be responsible,” Japheth Munyangeri said. “We have put in place measures to ensure the family’s safety.” Ends
