PRESS RELEASE (non official - for media information only)

ICTR/INFO-9-2-334.EN
Arusha, 18 February 2003

Bishop’s Remains Transferred to Rwanda

The remains of the late Samuel Musabyimana, former Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Shyogwe in Rwanda, were transferred to Rwanda for burial on Monday 17 February 2003. Bishop Musabyimana passed away on Friday, 24 January 2003 at the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania after a long illness.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) arranged for the Bishop’s remains to be flown to Kigali for burial.  Family members of the late Bishop received the body in Kigali. Funeral arrangements have been made in Gitarama by the family.

Bishop Musabyimana, who was born on 6 July 1956, was arrested in Nairobi on 26 April 2001. He was charged with four counts including Genocide, Conspiracy to commit Genocide and Crimes against Humanity, specifically extermination. He pleaded not guilty to all charges on 2 May 2001 during his initial appearance.

Bishop Musabyimana is the first accused person to pass away while in detention.  The Tribunal is grateful to the Government of Rwanda for facilitating the transfer of the remains of the late Bishop to Kigali for burial.

For further information please consult our website: http://www.ictr.org or contact the
Press & Public Affairs Unit, ICTR Arusha International Conference Centre,
PO Box 6016, Arusha, Tanzania
Telephone: 1 (212) 963 2850 or 255 27 250 4367-72;
Fax: 1 (212) 963 2848 or 255 27 250 4000/250 4373;
e-mail: ictr-press@un.org