BURUNDI: HUSSEIN RADJABU ARRESTED AND JAILED IN

S E C R E T BUJUMBURA 000327 SIPDIS SIPDIS NOFORN SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/C AND INR E.O. 12958: DECL: 2017/05/04 TAGS: PGOV PINR PREL BY SUBJECT: BURUNDI: HUSSEIN RADJABU ARRESTED AND JAILED IN SOLITARY CONFINEMENT REF: A. BUJUMBURA 306 ¶B. BUJUMBURA 309 Classified By: Classified by Ambassador Patricia Moller for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The controversial former CNDD-FDD party president, Hussein Radjabu, is imprisoned in solitary confinement at Bujumbura,s Mpimba Central Jail. Radjabu,s arrest on Friday, April 27 is the result of an inquiry by the Prosecutor General,s office concerning taped evidence of Radjabu,s intent to disrupt national security through an armed rebellion. No formal charges have yet been made public. The incarceration of Radjabu followed three days of meticulous judicial and political proceedings to ensure the transparency and legality of government actions. Radjabu was finally taken into custody at his residence upon the National Assembly,s unanimous decision to lift his immunity against prosecution. The very visible and extensive presence of Burundi,s national police force and security services discouraged any threat of violence or civil unrest. Burundi, and Bujumbura in particular, remains calm with the populace generally relieved and satisfied with Radjabu,s detention. End Summary ¶2. (SBU) On the evening of April 27, Burundi,s national police and security services arrested former CNDD-FDD ruling party president, Hussein Radjabu, and escorted him to the Mpimba central jail in Bujumbura. Prior to his arrest, on three separate occasions over two days, the Prosecutor General, Jean-Bosco Ndikumana, summoned Radjabu to answer questions regarding the recording of a speech by Radjabu to representatives of CNDD-FDD,s demobilized soldiers expressing his desire to start an armed rebellion. The third request for his appearance arrived soon after the Bureau (leaders) of Burundi,s National Assembly unanimously lifted Radjabu,s parliamentary immunity. Upon the lifting of his immunity, Ndikumana issued a warrant for Radjabu,s arrest as well as a warrant to search the former party president,s home. Ndikumana's ultimate order for Radjabu's appearance went unanswered for several hours whereupon security forces entered Radjabu's residence and delivered him to the Prosecutor General's office and onward to Mpimba. Radjabu latered claimed illness as the reason for his delay in responding to the summons. Although no charges have been made public, it is believed that Radjabu will be accused of violating Burundi,s criminal code, Article 412, by attempting to disrupt the internal security of the state. ¶3. (SBU) With Radjabu,s residence encircled by an armada of national police, security service personnel systematically searched the premises for nearly three hours, finally carting away a computer and various documents for delivery to the Prosecutor General,s office. According to news sources, the search was conducted in the presence of Radjabu and his family to avoid any accusations of wrongdoing or indiscriminate pillaging by government forces. The president of a local non-governmental organization (NGO) for the protection of human rights commended the Prosecutor General,s office for respecting all judicial processes in adjudicating Radjabu,s case and asked for the same diligence as the proceedings move forward. Current CNDD-FDD party president, Jeremie Ngendakumana, opined that the ruling party has always supported judicial independence and that all persons must answer for their acts. ¶4. (SBU) Hussein Radjabu is being held in solitary confinement at Bujumbura,s Mbimpa central prison. He arrived at the jail, reportedly in tears, to the jeers of onlookers and his jailers. Sources close to prison officials report that fellow inmates, reported to be FNL members, have threatened Radjabu. Radjabu,s lawyers have nonetheless complained that his solitude is tantamount to inhumane treatment as he is only permitted ten minutes a day outside of his cell. They,ve asked that he be treated as any other inmate. The former CNDD-FDD strongman is also refusing to eat for fear that his food is being poisoned. Radjabu continues to claim that his imprisonment or his possible disappearance will not resolve anything. As he previously divulged to Radio France International (RFI) in the days prior to his arrest, he claimed that plans are already in motion and his followers are ready to support his movement, particularly in his native province of Muyinga. Despite these threats of destabilization, Burundi remains free of violence and is calm. ¶5. (S/NF) Comment: The majority of the population is openly acknowledging the arrest of Hussein Radjabu as a significant step forward in protecting Burundi,s post-conflict stability. Although many analyzed Radjabu,s antics, plans and threats as the products of internal CNDD-FDD ruling party politics, the concerns more frequently expressed are Radjabu,s connections to Muslim elements outside of Burundi and the fear of possible terrorist factions operating within the country. It is also popularly believed that the Burundi government will use the opportunity of Radjabu,s incarceration to accuse him of participation in other high profile criminal cases, including the sale of the Presidential jet, various embezzlement schemes, and the extra-judicial killings in Muyinga. The list of charges against Hussein Radjabu may ultimately be very long. ¶6. (S/NF) There are unconfirmed local media reports, quoting reliable sources,, suggesting South African involvement in earlier plans to evacuate Radjabu to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in anticipation of his ultimate arrest. No other details have been provided; however it is rumored that certain South African elements would benefit financially from Radjabu,s continued position of influence and power in Burundi. There is no confirmation of the veracity of this report. End Comment. MOLLER