Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09KIGALI470
2009-07-30 13:12:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:
GRENADE ATTACK NEAR GENOCIDE MEMORIAL
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C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000470
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM RW
SUBJECT: GRENADE ATTACK NEAR GENOCIDE MEMORIAL
REF: A. 08 KIGALI 874
B. 08 KIGALI 269
Classified By: Ambassador W. Stuart Symington for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L KIGALI 000470
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM RW
SUBJECT: GRENADE ATTACK NEAR GENOCIDE MEMORIAL
REF: A. 08 KIGALI 874
B. 08 KIGALI 269
Classified By: Ambassador W. Stuart Symington for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) On the evening of July 22, an unknown person tossed
a grenade approximately 500 meters from the Kigali Memorial
Center, the principal genocide memorial in Rwanda, which has
the mass graves of some 300,000 genocide victims and a museum
complex. The explosion injured two bystanders. Police made
an arrest immediately after the attack of a passing
motorcyclist. Initial police sources at the scene told the
Embassy the grenade was a home-made explosive device; a more
senior source told us the explosive device was in fact a real
grenade. This source said the suspect may have not been
involved in the attack, and police continue to investigate.
The Chief of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) later
confirmed that the suspect had been released, as it was
determined he had no connection to the crime. The police had
no solid leads, he said, but their efforts continued.
2. (C) Comment. In the last three years, there have been
two direct grenade attacks on the Kigali Memorial, and two
attacks in the general vicinity of the complex. Rwandan
police often make immediate arrests of those in the vicinity
of such incidents, seeking information and possible suspects,
and then later release those detained, as happened here.
Direct attacks on the Center have typically occurred on or
around the yearly genocide commemorations that take place in
April, and are presumed to be the work of those opposed to
Rwanda's government and its reconciliation efforts. The
purpose of this particular attack may be the same, but the
exact motive remains unclear. End comment.
SYMINGTON
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/06/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV KCRM RW
SUBJECT: GRENADE ATTACK NEAR GENOCIDE MEMORIAL
REF: A. 08 KIGALI 874
B. 08 KIGALI 269
Classified By: Ambassador W. Stuart Symington for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)
1. (C) On the evening of July 22, an unknown person tossed
a grenade approximately 500 meters from the Kigali Memorial
Center, the principal genocide memorial in Rwanda, which has
the mass graves of some 300,000 genocide victims and a museum
complex. The explosion injured two bystanders. Police made
an arrest immediately after the attack of a passing
motorcyclist. Initial police sources at the scene told the
Embassy the grenade was a home-made explosive device; a more
senior source told us the explosive device was in fact a real
grenade. This source said the suspect may have not been
involved in the attack, and police continue to investigate.
The Chief of the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) later
confirmed that the suspect had been released, as it was
determined he had no connection to the crime. The police had
no solid leads, he said, but their efforts continued.
2. (C) Comment. In the last three years, there have been
two direct grenade attacks on the Kigali Memorial, and two
attacks in the general vicinity of the complex. Rwandan
police often make immediate arrests of those in the vicinity
of such incidents, seeking information and possible suspects,
and then later release those detained, as happened here.
Direct attacks on the Center have typically occurred on or
around the yearly genocide commemorations that take place in
April, and are presumed to be the work of those opposed to
Rwanda's government and its reconciliation efforts. The
purpose of this particular attack may be the same, but the
exact motive remains unclear. End comment.
SYMINGTON