BENIN: GOB SETS UP INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO

UNCLAS COTONOU 000127 SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/W ACOOK LONDON FOR PETER LORD PARIS FOR BKANEDA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL BN ASEC PINR SUBJECT: BENIN: GOB SETS UP INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE TO LOOK INTO PUZEY'S MURDER ¶1. (U). The Beninese Ministry of National Defense sent Post a copy of the Management Notice it had issued to set up an investigative committee to look into Puzey's March 11 murder. ¶2. (U). Post is transmitting the unofficial English translation of the Management Notice. ¶3. (U). BEGIN TRANSLATION: Ref No. BRQ No 332/2-BRQ-GRN-PKOU of March 12 2009 In the night of March 11, 2009, an American citizen was brutally murdered by unknown individuals in the suburb of Talinta, in the arrondissement of Badjoudh, commune of Ouak. Given the severity of this crime, Criminal Identification experts from the Judicial Police Training Center were called on to carry out forensic investigation on the crime scene. The Beninese Gendarmerie admits that it should do everything in its capacity to arrest the criminals. In this regard, it has set up an Investigative Committee made up of the following members: President: LTC Garba Yacouba, Commander of the Northern Region Gendarmerie Squad Rapporteur: Lieutenant Anato Pacome, Commander of the Djougou Gendarmerie Squad Members: Chief Warrant Officer Orou Merou Awessou, Service Number 3618, Commander of Ouake's Territorial Brigade; Warrant Officer Sodogandji Norbert, Service Number 3739, Commander of the Djougou Criminal Investigation Brigade; Warrant Officer Akouehou Anselme, Service Number 3964, Criminal Identification Technician at the Judicial Police Training Center, Porto-Novo; Sergeant Soualy Martial, Service Number 5367, Criminal Identification Technician at the Judicial Police Training Center, Porto-Novo; Private Gendarme Yabi Rodrigue, Service Number, Computer Scientist at the Territorial Brigade of Djougou. Mission: The mission of the committee is: To conduct adequate investigations in order to arrest the alleged murder(s) of Mrs. Puzey Catherine, English Teacher at the High School of Dompago To call on every individual who is likely to help shed light on the crime. The Committee will present its findings as soon as possible. This Management Notice becomes effective as of its date of signature /Signed/ Brigadier General Semegan L. Cocou Director General of the National Gendarmerie END TRANSLATION BROWN