Soldiers on trial charged with DR Congo mass rapes

Soldiers on trial charged with DR Congo mass rapes

Please click here to access the complete version of this article.

Prosecutors say Lt Col Kibibi Mutware and the other soldiers, including three officers, raped at least 35 women.

The alleged rapes took place on 1 January in the town of Fizi, in the eastern province of South Kivu.

Col Kibibi has denied the charges. There have been numerous cases of mass rape in the unstable east of DR Congo.

Military and humanitarian sources say the events on New Year's Day began when a mob lynched a soldier who had shot a civilian - allegedly in a fight over a woman.

A group of soldiers then allegedly took revenge on the people of Fizi, injuring at least 26 besides the rape victims.

Col Kibibi has dismissed the allegations and said the soldiers who had committed crimes had disobeyed his orders.

Please click here to access the complete version of this article.

ENDS

© Scoop Media