Author: Nicole Kamanzi Muteteri

According to Azerbaijan’s Government, in the night of 26 February 1992 alone, 613 Azerbaijani civilians including 169 women and children were brutally murdered by the invading Armenian military forces.

Some of them reportedly were also frozen to death as they tried to flee Khojaly in the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh.

According to international right groups, 487 people including 76 children were wounded while 1275 people were taken hostages and 150 people went missing

The event was recorded as the largest massacre in the course of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

For the Azerbaijanis, the Armenians attack was not only a mass murder but rather a Genocide

It was an ethnical cleansing and its purpose was to systematically create fears and horror among the Azerbaijanis thereby to force the civilians flee from their home towns.

They have been murdered by Armenians while they were in the process of fleeing their homes through the promised safety corridor, which turned out into the bloodbath for them.

Moreover different photo and video evidences show that the bodies of the victims of the massacre have been butchered even after the death.

The responsibility of Armenia, its political and military leadership for the crimes committed in Khojaly is confirmed by numerous facts, including investigative records, testimonies of the eyewitnesses, evidences from international media sources, and reports of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations.

As reported by the British scholar and writer, Thomas de Waal in his acclaimed book Black Garden on the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the ex Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, who was at the time one of the commanders of the ethnic Armenian forces, said: “ Before Khojaly, the Azerbaijanis thought that they were joking with us, they thought that the Armenians were people who could not raise their hand against the civilian population. We were able to break that [stereotype]. And that’s what happened.

The US journalist Thomas Goltz described the scene, saying, “The battered cars with wheels but without tires, piled high with rugs, pots and pans, rattled … choking with exhaust gases and bending under the weight of the mattresses and the iron beds.

People were trying to overtake a tractor trailer used for transportation of cotton, where grubby kids and quacking ducks sat among the dumped in a pile of clothes.

Usually there were men at the end of the column, who either rode the donkeys, or led the mules pulling carts.

Barefoot shepherds were driving frightened sheep, cows and calves, who tried to get under the wheels of a passing truck, to the other side of the road. ”

On 8 May 2008 in order to raise international awareness of the Khojaly Genocide at the initiative of Vice-President of Heydar Aliyev Foundation Ms. Leyla Aliyeva’s “Justice for Khojaly” International Awareness Campaign was launched.

The campaign aims to raise international public awareness of the Khojaly Genocide, root causes and consequences of the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

The Khojaly Genocide is recognized and commemorated by parliamentary acts adopted in numerous countries.

So far, the legislative bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, the Czech Republic, Honduras, Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Romania, Sudan, Djibouti, Guatemala, Scotland as well as many states of the United States of America have adopted relevant parliamentary resolutions.

Last week, US state, Minnesota has declared February 26 as “Azerbaijani Day” in recognition to Khojaly genocide.

“The majority of Azerbaijani Minnesotan community are descendants of survivors of the Khojaly genocide” reads part of the relevant declaration signed on February 12, 2021 by Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz.

It is also stated in the declaration that “the Azerbaijanis living in Minnesota, preserving their native language, rich cultural and spiritual values and traditions, contribute to the local culture by promoting them”

The signing of the declaration was taken as the success of Azerbaijanis living in Minnesota in promoting the truth about their country.

Another US state – Florida – has previously declared February 26, as the day of remembrance of the Khojaly genocide.

It should be noted that over 24 US states, have recognized and condemned the Khojaly genocide.

The act of genocide committed in Khojaly was one of the worst tragedies of the 20th century.

“Unfortunately, the perpetrators of the Khojaly Genocide are still left unpunished” said Dmitri Panin, Chargé d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Ethiopia.

After over 30 years of injustice, Azerbaijan has liberated its land from occupation and restored territorial integrity.

Nagorno-Karabakh which is recognized as Azerbaijan’s territory falls into Azerbaijani’s hands, the Azerbaijanis hope justice might be served against actors behind the genocide.

“However we hope that after Azerbaijani territories have been liberated from the Armenian occupation the justice will prevail in this case as well” Mr. Dmitri added.

International human rights organizations including Human Rights Watch, has named the tragedy as the largest massacre in the region.

As in Khojaly Armenia targeted civilians again in the recent war in 2020 killing over 100 Azerbaijani civilians and wounding over 400.

Perpetrators of both Khojaly and the latest war crimes are still at large. If the perpetrators of Khojaly Genocide would have been properly punished in 1992 we might not have seen many bloody tragedies happening.

Father Rugirangoga died on 7th January 2021 in the United States of America (USA) succumbing to COVID-19 related complications.

On 27th January, Christians and friends of Rwanda in USA organized a farewell Mass prayer held at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States.

The Bishop of Cyangugu Diocese, Hakizimana Célestin has told IGIHE that a farewell Mass will be held at Regina Pacis Parish shortly after Father Rugirangoga’s body arrives in Rwanda.

The farewell Mass is scheduled on 1st March 2021, a day before his burial to take place at Agasozi k’Ibanga ry’Amahoro (Hill of Secrete to Peace) located in Kamatita cell, Gihundwe sector, Rusizi district of Western Province.

The hill of 25 hectares is located in Nkanka Parish, Cyangugu Diocese.

Father Rugirangoga is renowned for delivering healing prayers, unity and reconciliation initiatives.

Father Rugirangoga was also renowned for psychiatric initiatives and healing prayers launched in Mushaka Parish that encouraged Genocide perpetrators to seek forgiveness and survivors to forgive offenders as a healing process from the wounds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

In 2015, Father Rugirangoga was selected as Protector of Friendship Pact ‘Umurinzi w’Igihango’ for outstanding contribution promoting unity and reconciliation among Rwandans across the country.

In 2019, Father Rugirangoga wrote a book dubbed “Forgiveness Makes You Free” aimed at consolidating Rwandans unity and reconciliation efforts.

Father Ubald Rugiranoga was born on 26th April 1955 in former Rwabidege sector, Mwezi parish in Commune Karengera, Prefecture Cyangugu currently in Rusizi district.

He was ordained priest in 1984 at the age of 29. He used to organize different gospel crusades in which many people healed from different diseases.

He has been a priest for over 32 years.

It is under this context that Terrassa Wines, a subsidiary of Terrassa Holdings joined the market in 2019 to bring spice to enthusiasts, bringing a wide range of brands to Rwanda.

As one of the biggest Holdings in Rwanda, Terrassa imports prestigious brands with uncompromised quality from internationally accredited producers.

Apart from selling Wines, Liquor, scotch and energy drinks, Terrassa has an assortment of soft drinks to serve to varied customers.

At Terrassa Holdings, customers can pick wines, liquors of choice imported from renowned manufacturers in Spain, France, Italy, South Africa, Portugal, Australia, Sweden, Mexico, Ukraine, and the United States of America among others.

Terrassa Management has told IGIHE that the store was introduced to bring quality & premium drinks closer to customers in Rwanda.

“The major reason for our start-up was to avail varieties of wines, scotch, whisky, vodka, energy drinks and other soft drinks all under one roof, and also an impeccable customer care experience.”

Located at Sonatubes and Nyarutarama, the store has the ability to serve Kigali through a swift delivery service.

{{For further inquiries, please contact 0788331050}}

The two suspected smugglers were arrested on Tuesday, February 23, in Nkoma Cell, Tabagwe Sector with 11 bales of Caguwa, which were sneaked into Rwanda from the neighbouring Uganda, through a porous border.

Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson for the Eastern region, said residents shared information with the Police about bales of clothes that had been smuggled into Rwanda through an illegal border point in Tabagwe.

“Police, local leaders and members of other security organs went to two identified homes in Nkoma Cell where they recovered 11 bales. Eight bales were found in the house of one Francois Nshimiyimana and three others recovered in the house of one Edinace Nyiraguhigwa,” said CIP Twizeyimana.

Those arrested include Nshimiyimana’s wife and one Emmanuel Tuyizere, who is suspected to have smuggled the three bales and hid them in his mother’s (Nyiraguhigwa) house.

“The suspects are currently detained at Tabagwe Police station while the bales of Caguwa were handed over to the Revenue Protection Unit in Nyagatare. Police and other security organs are working with local leaders and communities to search for and arrest Nshimiyimana, who is a suspected ringleader,” the spokesperson said.

“Smuggling is a criminal act as it includes tax evasion. Besides, these people use porous borders, which is also unlawful but also use these remote routes at night which is equally risky to their lives.”

{{Tax fraud}}

A taxpayer, who commits fraud, is subject to an administrative fine of one hundred percent (100%) of the evaded tax. With exception to that penalty, the Tax Administration refers the case to the Prosecution service if the taxpayer voluntarily evaded such tax, like through the use of false accounts, falsified documents or any other act punishable by law. In case of conviction, the taxpayer can be imprisoned for a period between six (6) months and two (2) years.”

Under the East African Community Management Act, which is also applicable in Rwanda, seized smuggled goods under article 199, are auctioned.
In case a vehicle was used in fraud and smuggling, it is also impounded, auctioned and the driver slapped a fine of US$5000.

The deceased is a 54-year old man from Kigali.

Rwanda confirmed the first Coronavirus case on 14th March 2020. Since then, 18 443 people have been tested positive out of 991 917 sample tests of whom 17 264 have recovered, 925 are active cases while 254 have succumbed to the virus.

The prevalence of new infections, recoveries and deaths stands at 2.2%, 93.6% and 1.3% respectively while 12 patients are critically ill.

Coronavirus symptoms include coughing, flu, and difficulty in breathing. The virus is said to be transmitted through the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract.

Rwandans are urged to adhere to COVID-19 health guidelines, washing hands frequently using soaps and safe water, wearing face masks and respecting social distancing.