Rwandan genocide suspect accused of burning children arrested by Dutch police

Three hundred skulls were laid out in rows outside the chapel in 1994. Photo: Hulton Archive/Scott Peterson

A former military official accused of playing a key role in the massacre of nearly 30,000 people during the Rwandan genocide has been arrested in the Netherlands.

Dutch prosecutors said that On Tuesday, police detained 67-year-old Pierre-Claver Karangwa as part of an investigation into his involvement in the 1994 genocide.

They said he was suspected of involvement in the arson of a house that contained dozens of women and children.

Mr Karangwa, who has lived in the Netherlands since 1998, was stripped of his Dutch citizenship over genocide charges, theoretically paving the way for his extradition.

A court case over his possible return last December to Rwanda, Mr. Karangwa said he was innocent of the crimes he was accused of.

About 800,000 moderates ethnic Tutsis and Hutus died during the genocide Photo: Getty/Mirrorpix

In June, the Dutch Supreme Court said he could not be extradited to face charges of crimes against humanity because he was an opposition politician and there was a risk that he would not receive a fair trial.

This decision led to the Dutch investigation in a country where suspects of international crimes can be prosecuted if they have Dutch citizenship or reside in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has tried and convicted other Rwandan genocide suspects previously under universal jurisdiction, and has also extradited three genocide suspects to stand trial in Kigali since 2016.

It is estimated that during the genocide in Rwanda, which was organized by the extremist Hutu government and executed by local officials and ordinary citizens.

People prepare coffins with newly discovered remains of 84,437 victims in 2019 Photo: AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba

Following his arrest on Tuesday in Ermelo municipality, Dutch prosecutors linked Mr Karangwa to the killing of thousands of people «in an attack on a parish in Mugina» almost three decades ago. .

“After this attack, dozens of women and children were chased to the house, where they were burned alive,” they said.

“The former army officer arrested today is specifically suspected of involvement in the arson of this home.»

Last year, prosecutors said he supplied fuel for the fire, citing eyewitness accounts.