A joint operation between the Tracking Team of the Office of the Prosecutor of International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Tanzanian authorities, the INTERPOL National Central Bureau (NCB) in Dar es Salaam and INTERPOL’s Fugitive Investigative Service has resulted in the arrest of a former Rwandan minister wanted in connection with the 1994 genocide.
Callixte Nzabonimana, who served as Minister of Youth, was arrested in Kigoma, Tanzania before being transferred to Arusha where the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) is based.
Nzabonimana was the subject of an INTERPOL Red Notice issued at the request of the ICTR and NCB Kigali for a range of offences including genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide and crimes against humanity.
“This latest arrest of an individual wanted in connection with the Rwandan genocide clearly shows the ongoing determination of law enforcement at the local, regional and international level in bringing these men to justice,” said INTERPOL’s Executive Director of Police Services, Jean-Michel Louboutin.
“INTERPOL’s African Regional Conference held in Tanzania last year called on all National Central Bureaus to provide whatever assistance necessary to arrest the remaining fugitives from the ICTR, and it is clear that they are responding to this call.”
Nzabonimana is the fourth arrest in connection with the Rwandan genocide as a result of international co-operation via INTERPOL channels. Three other men, Isaac Kamali, Dominique Ntawukuriryayo and Marcel Bivugabagabo have been arrested in France since June 2007.