RADJABU APPEARS BEFORE BURUNDI'S SUPREME COURT

UNCLAS BUJUMBURA 000424 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPT FOR AF/C E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PINR PREL BY SUBJECT: RADJABU APPEARS BEFORE BURUNDI'S SUPREME COURT REF: BUJUMBURA 376 ¶1. (U) Burundi's Supreme Court confirmed May 31 the continued detention of Hussein Radjabu. The Supreme Court's confirmation means that Radjabu will remain at Mpimba Prison through the end of his trial, which, according to Burundian law, must begin within thirty days of detention. Formal charges against Radjabu will be made public at his trial. Radjabu, former chairman of the CNDD-FDD, Burundi's ruling political party, has been held at Mpimba since his April 27 arrest for "intent to disrupt national security through an armed rebellion." (Reftel) ¶2. (SBU) Sixty-eight supporters of Radjabu resigned May 31 from the CNDD-FDD, following his appearance before the Supreme Court. The sixty-eight, all from Radjabu's home commune of Buyenzi, the Muslim quarter of Bujumbura, complained that his removal in February from the chairmanship of the party was illegal, and that his arrest and impending trial are politically motivated. Burundian observers noted that all of the supporters were rank and file members, without undue prominence within the party. MOLLER