3 held for links with Ingabire

2010-04-23 14:02

Kigali - Rwandan authorities announced on Friday they had arrested three people said to be Hutu rebels and accomplices of an opposition leader accused of denying the 1994 genocide.

Attorney General Martin Ngoga said the three were members of the Rwandan Hutu Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) rebels operating in neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

"The three FDLR officers told us they had colluded with Ingabire to cause insecurity in Rwanda and destabilise the country," Ngoga said, referring to the opposition chief Victoire Ingabire who was conditionally freed on Thursday, a day after being arrested.

The three FDLR members were Tharcisse Mbiturende, Noel Habiyakare and Jean Marie Karuta, Ngoga said, explaining that the first two were arrested in a neighbouring country while the third was seized in Rwanda.

Ngoga said they "acknowledged having met with Ingabire several times in Kinshasa and at times she helped them, especially with money".

They are to be taken to court next week.

Ingabire, a Hutu, was accused of denying the genocide and collaborating with a rebels group. The charges arise from her comments in January calling for the trial of those responsible for the death of Hutus in the 1994 massacre.

Some 800 000 people, mainly Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were slaughtered in the 100-day killing spree.

Ingabire was ordered to report before a judge every week and prevented from travelling outside the capital Kigali.

She has declared intention to run for presidential polls in August in which President Paul Kagame is expected to seek re-election.

- AFP