Citizens’ statement to demand immediate and unconditional release of Lt. Gen. Karenzi

We the people of Rwanda from all walks of life we were deeply disappointed by UK’s decision to accept to be used by pro-genocide groups and arrest Gen Karenzi Karake over unfounded Politically motivated accusations.

Gen Karake was arrested based on the Spanish judge indictment that has been challenged by many credible personalities and organizations including the UN panel of experts. In their report in 2009 the UN panel of experts, linked the indictment to information received from two NGOs Fundacio S’Oliivar and Inshuti both Spanish charitable organizations which had strong collaboration and support to FDLR , a terrorist outfit made up of elements responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi that killed more than one million innocent Rwandans.

In Article 115, the report shows that S’Oliver received 198 thousands euros (2001-2008) from Fons Mallorquì de Solidaritat i Cooperaciò, to support allegations against RPF members in Spanish courts.

We would like to remind you that when RPF moved to stop the genocide that claimed over 1million Tutsi the International community including the UK government abandoned the victims, while Gen Karake was among the people who sacrificed to save lives and now you decided to turn him a victim of your inaction.

It is also disappointing how the UK government has failed to act against genocidaires who are still at large in Europe and decide to go against those who stopped the genocide like Gen. Karake who has not only saved lives in Rwanda but also in Sudan- Darfur where the UN decorated him as an exemplary commander of UNAMID.

We consider the UK government as a good partner with Rwanda and the decision to arrest Gen. Karenzi based on a politically motivated indictment by the Spanish judge Fernando Andreu Merelles is incomprehensible

We therefore strongly call on the UK government to disassociate itself from genocidaire sympathisers and immediately and unconditionally release Gen Karenzi Karake and instead use the energy to arrest genocidaires who move freely in European countries including the UK.

END.