Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06KIGALI687
2006-07-13 16:00:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:
FORMER INTEL CHIEF KAREGEYA SENTENCED FOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHLGB #0687 1941600 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 131600Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3001 INFO RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHMFISS/CDR USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000687
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C
EUCOM FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2016
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PHUM RW UG
SUBJECT: FORMER INTEL CHIEF KAREGEYA SENTENCED FOR
DESERTION AND INSUBORDINATION
REF: IIR 6 956 0169 06
Classified By: POLOFF GLEARNED for reason 1.4 (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000687
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C
EUCOM FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2016
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PHUM RW UG
SUBJECT: FORMER INTEL CHIEF KAREGEYA SENTENCED FOR
DESERTION AND INSUBORDINATION
REF: IIR 6 956 0169 06
Classified By: POLOFF GLEARNED for reason 1.4 (D)
1. (U) Summary. On 13 July a Rwandan Military Tribunal ruled
that Col. Patrick Karegeya was guilty of insubordination and
desertion and sentenced him to a prison term of one year and
eight months. Both the prosecution and defense intend to
appeal the verdict at the Military High Court. End summary.
2. (U) Background. Karegeya's most recent jobs were Rwandan
Defense Forces (RDF) Spokesman and National Security Service
Director General of the Department of External Intelligence
and Security. In 2005, he was detained for six months with
no charge (reftel). Upon release, Karegeya remained in
Rwanda, but did not return to work. On 15 May, Karegeya was
arrested at his Kigali home and charged with insubordination.
An additional charge of desertion was added immediately
prior to the 15 June trial. Karegeya pleaded innocent to the
prosecution's charges that he had refused a direct order to
return to work by the RDF Chief of General Staff General
James Kabarebe. The prosecution maintained that Kaberebe
gave Karegeya a direct verbal command to return to duty at a
meeting at Kabarebe's residence.
3. (C) Poloff had two conversations with Karegeya at
diplomatic events before he was arrested for the second time
on 15 May. When asked about his status in early April,
Karegeya told poloff that he had seen and talked with
Kaberebe regularly but had not received any guidance as to
his next assignment. He said that he expected to return to
active duty and was biding time working on his house in the
interim.
4. (C) Comment. There was little hard evidence provided in
the trial to substantiate the charges other than cell phone
bills that confirmed contact was made between Kabarebe and
Karegeya- but not the subject matter of the calls. The
desertion and insubordination charges come down to a "he
said/ he said" argument, unfortunately for Karegeya, the
other "he" in this equation is the most senior ranking
General in the RDF. Post will continue to follow and report
on this matter. End comment.
THURSTON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C
EUCOM FOR POLAD
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/13/2016
TAGS: KJUS PGOV PHUM RW UG
SUBJECT: FORMER INTEL CHIEF KAREGEYA SENTENCED FOR
DESERTION AND INSUBORDINATION
REF: IIR 6 956 0169 06
Classified By: POLOFF GLEARNED for reason 1.4 (D)
1. (U) Summary. On 13 July a Rwandan Military Tribunal ruled
that Col. Patrick Karegeya was guilty of insubordination and
desertion and sentenced him to a prison term of one year and
eight months. Both the prosecution and defense intend to
appeal the verdict at the Military High Court. End summary.
2. (U) Background. Karegeya's most recent jobs were Rwandan
Defense Forces (RDF) Spokesman and National Security Service
Director General of the Department of External Intelligence
and Security. In 2005, he was detained for six months with
no charge (reftel). Upon release, Karegeya remained in
Rwanda, but did not return to work. On 15 May, Karegeya was
arrested at his Kigali home and charged with insubordination.
An additional charge of desertion was added immediately
prior to the 15 June trial. Karegeya pleaded innocent to the
prosecution's charges that he had refused a direct order to
return to work by the RDF Chief of General Staff General
James Kabarebe. The prosecution maintained that Kaberebe
gave Karegeya a direct verbal command to return to duty at a
meeting at Kabarebe's residence.
3. (C) Poloff had two conversations with Karegeya at
diplomatic events before he was arrested for the second time
on 15 May. When asked about his status in early April,
Karegeya told poloff that he had seen and talked with
Kaberebe regularly but had not received any guidance as to
his next assignment. He said that he expected to return to
active duty and was biding time working on his house in the
interim.
4. (C) Comment. There was little hard evidence provided in
the trial to substantiate the charges other than cell phone
bills that confirmed contact was made between Kabarebe and
Karegeya- but not the subject matter of the calls. The
desertion and insubordination charges come down to a "he
said/ he said" argument, unfortunately for Karegeya, the
other "he" in this equation is the most senior ranking
General in the RDF. Post will continue to follow and report
on this matter. End comment.
THURSTON