Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07KIGALI342
2007-04-06 14:21:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:
FORMER PRESIDENT BIZIMUNGU RELEASED FROM PRISON
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHLGB #0342 0961421 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 061421Z APR 07 FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4000 INFO RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0046 RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 0857 RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 1582 RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0201 RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 0831 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0222
UNCLAS KIGALI 000342
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR RW
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT BIZIMUNGU RELEASED FROM PRISON
UNCLAS KIGALI 000342
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR RW
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT BIZIMUNGU RELEASED FROM PRISON
1. (U) Summary. The Government of Rwanda released former
President Pasteur Bizimungu from prison on April 6. This
release apparently occurred without prior notice to the
public and without condition. Coming thirteen years to the
day from the start of the 1994 genocide, and on Good Friday,
this release appears to be a goodwill gesture to the Rwandan
people and the international community. End summary.
2. (SBU) Embassy personnel on private business observed the
release of former President Bizimungu from the central Kigali
"1930" prison on the afternoon of Good Friday, a local
holiday (the prison is located close to major commercial
areas of the city). Police drove Bizimungu, accompanied by
his wife and his attorney, to his Kigali residence for a
quiet reunion with friends and family members. Bizimungu, a
Hutu, had been in jail since his 2004 conviction on several
counts, including embezzlement and incitement of civil
disobedience. The release was not announced to the public.
3. (SBU) Reached later in the day by polchief, Bizimungu's
attorney said that the release, which he termed a
presidential pardon, was done "without precondition." The
attorney had no information on the status of Bizimungu's
codefendant, former transport minister Ntakarutinka, but
believed him to be still in custody. "This is a process,"
said the attorney, and "we hope Ntakarutinka will be next."
4. (SBU) Comment. Post was unable to confirm conditions of
release or other information from government personnel. Some
had traveled for the three-day Easter weekend, others had
their mobile phones turned off. This low-key release of
Bizimungu comes on the eve of the April 7 nationwide genocide
memorial ceremonies -- April 6 marks the date in 1994 that
unknown parties shot down the plane carrying the presidents
of Rwanda and Burundi, and April 7 the actual start of the
three-month genocide. These dates are heavy with national
remembrance and sorrow, and Bizimungu's release appears to
represent a goodwill gesture by the Government of Rwanda to
its people and the international community. End Comment.
THURSTON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PINR RW
SUBJECT: FORMER PRESIDENT BIZIMUNGU RELEASED FROM PRISON
1. (U) Summary. The Government of Rwanda released former
President Pasteur Bizimungu from prison on April 6. This
release apparently occurred without prior notice to the
public and without condition. Coming thirteen years to the
day from the start of the 1994 genocide, and on Good Friday,
this release appears to be a goodwill gesture to the Rwandan
people and the international community. End summary.
2. (SBU) Embassy personnel on private business observed the
release of former President Bizimungu from the central Kigali
"1930" prison on the afternoon of Good Friday, a local
holiday (the prison is located close to major commercial
areas of the city). Police drove Bizimungu, accompanied by
his wife and his attorney, to his Kigali residence for a
quiet reunion with friends and family members. Bizimungu, a
Hutu, had been in jail since his 2004 conviction on several
counts, including embezzlement and incitement of civil
disobedience. The release was not announced to the public.
3. (SBU) Reached later in the day by polchief, Bizimungu's
attorney said that the release, which he termed a
presidential pardon, was done "without precondition." The
attorney had no information on the status of Bizimungu's
codefendant, former transport minister Ntakarutinka, but
believed him to be still in custody. "This is a process,"
said the attorney, and "we hope Ntakarutinka will be next."
4. (SBU) Comment. Post was unable to confirm conditions of
release or other information from government personnel. Some
had traveled for the three-day Easter weekend, others had
their mobile phones turned off. This low-key release of
Bizimungu comes on the eve of the April 7 nationwide genocide
memorial ceremonies -- April 6 marks the date in 1994 that
unknown parties shot down the plane carrying the presidents
of Rwanda and Burundi, and April 7 the actual start of the
three-month genocide. These dates are heavy with national
remembrance and sorrow, and Bizimungu's release appears to
represent a goodwill gesture by the Government of Rwanda to
its people and the international community. End Comment.
THURSTON