GOR INVESTIGATING ATTACK ON JOURNALIST

C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000142

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR AF/C

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/12/2017
TAGS: PGOV PHUM RW
SUBJECT: GOR INVESTIGATING ATTACK ON JOURNALIST

REF: 06 KIGALI 790

Classified By: POLOFF GLEARNED, REASON 1.4 (d)


1. (SBU) Summary. Rwandan police are investigating a 9 Feb
attack on Jean Bosco Gasasira, chief editor of independent
Kinyarwanda-language newspaper "Umuvugizi." Gasisira was
attacked by three men with tire irons outside a bar in
Kigali, he sustained serious injuries to his leg, arm and
head. By Monday, he has had three surgeries and was
reportedly in stable but critical condition in the ICU of
King Faisal Hospital in Kigali. Emboffs visited hospital
several times over the weekend to check on his condition, and
have discussed incident with NGO representatives, diplomats
and GOR officials. According to a Rwandan National Police
(RNP) official, one suspect has been detained and a full
investigation is underway. End summary.


2. (C) In late morning of 9 Feb Gasasira described from his
hospital bed the incident to emboff:
-- Gasasira had been meeting with journalists Jean Guarbert
Burasa (editor of "Rushyasha") and Bonaventure Bizumuremyi
(editor of "Umuco") at Le Printemp Bar in the Remera
neighborhood of Kigali.
-- After Burasa and Bizumuremyi had departed the bar, an
unknown man approached Gasasira around 20:30 and told him
that his car tire had been slashed. When Gasisira went to
check his car he was attacked by three men he identified as
de-mobilized soldiers.
-- The attackers beat him with tire irons until onlookers
stopped them and forced them to flee.
-- Gasasira, still lucid and concerned about his car and
belongings, called a relative to drive him to the hospital.
He said that there was no attempt by the attackers to steal
any of his property.


3. (U) Gasasira suffered a broken arm, numerous contusions
and internal bleeding, and an undiagnosed injury to the
skull, and he slipped in and out of consciousness at the
hospital. Initially placed in a recovery room after surgery
on his arm, he was later transferred to the intensive care
unit as his condition worsened, and placed on a respirator.


4. (C) According to an RNP contact, police investigators have
detained one suspect, who has denied involvement, and are
continuing an investigation. According to Human Rights
Watch's Chris Huggins (protect),several GOR officials have
visited Gasasira in the hospital including Minister of
Information Laurent Nkusi and members of the RNP. We also
understand representatives from the President's Office
visited him in the hospital.

Bio Notes
--------------

5. (C) In a past discussion about his background, Gasasira
told emboff that he and his immediate family grew up in
Uganda and his older brother was a high ranking Rwandan
Patriotic Army (RPA) officer close to the 1990 RPA leadership
including Fred Rwigema and Paul Kagame before being killed in
action during the civil war. Gasasira said he had worked for
the military intelligence (DMI) up until a few years ago. He
has a reputation in the diplomatic community as somewhat of a
maverick, willing to criticize government officials and
fellow journalists alike. In August 2006, Gasisira was
involved in another incident involving alleged threats
against his fellow journalist and friend, Bonaventure
Bizumuremyi (reftel). Gasasira also accused "military
intelligence agents" of following him and issuing phone
threats in the 2007 Reporters Without Borders Rwanda country
report.


6. (C) Comment. This is the most serious attack on a
journalist in some years. The GOR is clearly taking the
incident seriously, as indicated by the senior level visits
to the hospital and the rapid start to the police
investigation. End comment.
ARIETTI