FDU-Inkingi Executive Committee Member Said Detained by Rwandan Military.

FDU-Inkingi Press Release2 January 2011

Last night, a platoon of Gisenyi-based marine unit attacked the residence of Mr. Gratien NSABIYAREMYE, member of the Interim Executive Committee of FDU-INKINGI in charge of youth and resident of Rubavu District (Nyamyumba sector, Rubona cell , Kabiza village). Military personnel invited him to follow them to unknown location but he declined because they failed to display an arrest warrant or any other legal document allowing them to carry out arrest. The house remained under military siege for the rest of the night. In the early morning he was forcibly abducted.

We don't know whether this kidnapping is related or not to a motorbike accident that occurred yesterday in his direct neighborhood. Because that time, to residents insisting to impound the motorbike themselves, he advised them to get in touch with local security staff.

FDU-INKINGI has engaged Gisenyi senior police authorities and the national police spokesperson with no help. Eyewitnesses reported Mr. Gratien NSABIYAREMYE was severely beaten by a military officer named Captain RUTABURINGOGA.

FDU-INKINGI is seriously concerned by the unrelenting persecution of our leaders and party members. We are ashamed by this behaviour of members of the army involved in the brutal kidnapping of an innocent citizen. We call upon the government to ensure Gratien NSABIYAREMYE is safe and to investigate this case.

Done in Kigali,

Boniface TWAGIRIMANA
FDU-INKINGI
Interim Vice-President

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Editor's Note: Rwandan Marines have been trained by the US through the IMET program, most recently on record in 2008. 16 Marine officers and 8 students completed the course.  The US promised to extend their support of the Marine forces by providing "combat equipment," boat parts, and motors.  The stated goal of the training was to help Rwandan-DRC border security.  Col. Firmin Bayingana, head of the Marine force at the time, was arrested in Rwanda on April 19 2009 for allegedly trying to sabotage a judicial process, a charge he denied.  He was tried at the Military High Court.  He is one of the individuals indicted in the Spanish arrest warrants. As a major in the Rwandan army at the time, Col. Bayingana is accused of committing crimes against humanity in the area around Ruhengeri during 1997-1999.