The former Rwandan Minister of Justice, Stanislas Mbonampeka, was arrested in Belgium for his involvement in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The arrest was confirmed by the federal public prosecutor following reports from various media outlets. Mbonampeka appeared in court on Thursday, and his arrest warrant was extended for a month.
Rwanda has long maintained that those responsible for crimes against humanity should face prosecution or accountability. A spokesperson for the Rwandan public prosecutor’s office expressed satisfaction with the arrest of Mbonampeka, who stands accused of ordering the killing of over 21,000 people at the Ndera psychiatric hospital in Kigali.
The Ibuka organization, which represents genocide survivors, also expressed satisfaction with the arrest of Mbonampeka. Philbert Gakwenzire, the organization’s chairman, described it as a relief to survivors and families of victims who were killed on orders. Gakwenzire hopes that Mbonampeka will be extradited to Rwanda to face justice.
The Rwandan genocide began on April 7, 1994, after the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana and President Cyprien Ntaryamira of Burundi. The genocide resulted in the deaths of at least 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in just over three months. Belgian soldiers at the Ndera psychiatric hospital decided to evacuate following the murder of two leaders led to an attack on the hospital allegedly ordered by Mbonampeka.
