RIB Arrests 63-Year-Old Genocide Convict in Karongi District

Rwanda April 14, 2026 -The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has announced the arrest of Murakaza Valens, 63, from Karongi District, who is accused of participating in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and had previously been sentenced by a Gacaca court. According to authorities, Murakaza was convicted by the Gacaca Court of Kavumu Sector on August 24, 2011, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He is alleged to have evaded enforcement of the sentence for several years before his arrest. Officials said he was located in Rutabi Village, Rutabi Cell, Twumba Sector, where he was apprehended following information that led investigators to his whereabouts. He is currently being held at the Twumba RIB station as his case file is prepared for submission to the prosecution service, which is expected to bring the matter before court for enforcement of the sentence. The case is linked to crimes committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Under Rwandan law, genocide is classified as an imprescriptible crime, meaning it does not expire over time. Authorities noted that genocide includes acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. These acts may include killing members of the group, causing serious physical or psychological harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life intended to bring about destruction, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children. RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry reiterated the institution’s commitment to bringing perpetrators of serious crimes to justice, stressing that genocide-related offences remain prosecutable regardless of how much time has passed. He urged the public to reject violence and emphasized that individuals implicated in such crimes will continue to be pursued and held accountable under the law.

Faits rapportés

Rwanda April 14, 2026 -The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) has announced the arrest of Murakaza Valens, 63, from Karongi District, who is accused of participating in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and had previously been sentenced by a Gacaca court. According to authorities, Murakaza was convicted by the Gacaca Court of Kavumu Sector on August 24, 2011, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He is alleged to have evaded enforcement of the sentence for several years before his arrest. Officials said he was located in Rutabi Village, Rutabi Cell, Twumba Sector, where he was apprehended following information that led investigators to his whereabouts. He is currently being held at the Twumba RIB station as his case file is prepared for submission to the prosecution service, which is expected to bring the matter before court for enforcement of the sentence. The case is linked to crimes committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Under Rwandan law, genocide is classified as an imprescriptible crime, meaning it does not expire over time. Authorities noted that genocide includes acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. These acts may include killing members of the group, causing serious physical or psychological harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life intended to bring about destruction, preventing births, or forcibly transferring children. RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry reiterated the institution’s commitment to bringing perpetrators of serious crimes to justice, stressing that genocide-related offences remain prosecutable regardless of how much time has passed. He urged the public to reject violence and emphasized that individuals implicated in such crimes will continue to be pursued and held accountable under the law.