Cablegate: War Crimes Trial Against Fardc Troops Begins In

VZCZCXRO5521
PP RUEHBZ RUEHDU RUEHGI RUEHJO RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHKI #1932 3621308
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281308Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY KINSHASA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5356
INFO RUEHXR/RWANDA COLLECTIVE
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC
RHMFISS/HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE
RUFOADA/JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001932

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV MOPS KPKO KJUS CG
SUBJECT: WAR CRIMES TRIAL AGAINST FARDC TROOPS BEGINS IN
ITURI

REF: KINSHASA 1797

1. (U) The trial of 14 FARDC soldiers implicated in the
deaths of civilians found in mass graves began December 27 in
Bunia, Ituri. The mass graves, containing the remains of 32
men, women, and children missing since August, were
discovered at a FARDC camp in Bavi November 22 (reftel). The
accused have been charged with war crimes by a military
tribunal and face life imprisonment.

2. (U) According to MONUC, 14 soldiers from the First
Integrated Brigade's Intervention Battalion were charged,
including four captains, a sub-lieutenant, and a corporal.
Four of the suspects, including an engineering officer and a
deputy intelligence officer of the battalion, escaped and
will be tried in absentia. The Deputy Commander of the
battalion, Captain Gedeon, maintains his innocence regarding
both the killings and the movement of the bodies.

3. (U) The first hearing consisted of the identification of
the accused and the designation of attorneys. The president
of the five-member military tribunal hearing the case, Major
Innocent Mayembe, said the proceedings will resume January 2.
A verdict is expected by mid-February.

4. (U) Local and national human rights organizations, as
well as many Bunia residents, attended the first hearing,
according to media reports. MONUC Human Rights officers
carried out a follow-up mission to Bavi on December 20.

5. (U) Comment: Although this is not the first time FARDC
troops have been brought to trial for war crimes, it is much
faster than the military justice system has responded in the
past. The widespread publicity, indisputable evidence, and
rapid arrest of the perpetrators undoubtedly contributed to
the speed of the process. End comment.
DOUGHERTY

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