20 January 2008
Bujumbura — Colonel Vital Bangirimana has fled to Tanzania to escape legal action again him in Burundi. Pierre Claver Mbonimpa, the leader of the association for the Defense of Prisoners' Rights, A.P.R.O.D.H., confirms that he has proof that Colonel Bangirimana fled to Tanzania on Wednesday. He has been on medical leave since 14 January. His period of leave will expire on 24 January.
Colonel Vital Bangirimana was formely commander of the 4th military region. He is alleged to have played a major role in the killing of about 33 persons in Muyinga. The leader of A.P.R.O.D.H. says his flight will hinder the case concerning the killings in Muyinga. He says that impunity might persists and those who lost their lives in Muyinga may never win justice.
President Nkurunziza's government has failed to close this case involving major high-ranked officers of the army and the National Intelligence Services. In its attempt to keep the case under wraps, the government of Burundi has met with the opposition of the local civil society and international community who are eager to shed light on what happened in Muyinga and find those who are responsible. In his last press conference conducted via telephone, President Nkurunziza was unable to convince Burundian that top authorities have not stifled the course of justice in this case and, with unease, he added that magistrates should do their work correctly.
About 33 suspected FNL supporters were killed in obscure circumstances. A prosecutor who tried to carry out an investigation into these killings was transferred to another province. Col. Bangirimana has never appeared in court although multiple summons were issued to him.
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