Charles Munyaneza

Charles Munyaneza (born 1958) is a Rwandan man living in the Putnoe area of Bedford, England.

In March 2006 he was named in a list prepared by the Rwandan government of Rwandan genocide suspects living abroad.

During the genocide, Munyaneza was the mayor (burgomaster) of Kinyamakara commune in the prefecture of Gikongoro.[1] Munyaneza was known for his good relations with Tutsi, despite his membership of the MRND party. Munyaneza hid Tutsi from a neighboring commune in his house during the genocide, and fought off assailants to defend them.[1] After 1994, he sought asylum in the United Kingdom under the name "Muneza", and was granted indefinite leave to remain in 2002.

In a statement to The Guardian, Munyaneza proclaimed his innocence and stated he was willing to go to an English court to clear his name.[2]

He was arrested in Britain on 28 December 2006 and placed in HMP Belmarsh. His extradition to Rwanda has been denied twice by the British authorities.[3]

References
  1. Des Forges, Alison (March 1999). Leave None to Tell the Story: Genocide in Rwanda – Gikongoro → Attacking Dissenters. New York: Human Rights Watch. ISBN 1-56432-171-1.
  2. Laville, Sandra (13 May 2006). "Wanted for genocide in Kigali. Living comfortably in Bedford". London: The Guardian. Retrieved 13 May 2006.
  3. TRIAL International: Charles Munyaneza


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