DR Congo arrests group over child rape
June 24, Brazzaville: At least 75 suspected militiamen have been arrested in the Democratic Republic of Congo for murder and rape in the province of South Kivu. They are accused of targeting very young girls, reportedly associating them with supernatural protection, reports said
Those detained include the group's alleged leader, Frederic Batumike, who is a provincial deputy.
Most of DR Congo has recovered from nearly a decade of war but rebel violence continues in eastern areas.
Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba said Mr Batumike and 74 of his fighters had been arrested last week for repeated rapes of about 30 very young girls near the village of Kavumu.
The justice minister also said Batumike was accused of ordering the killing of a German engineer, Walter Muller, and a Congolese human rights activist named as Evariste Kasali.
Some five million lives were lost in DR Congo's conflict between 1994 and 2003.
The Oslo Times International News Network
Those detained include the group's alleged leader, Frederic Batumike, who is a provincial deputy.
Most of DR Congo has recovered from nearly a decade of war but rebel violence continues in eastern areas.
Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe Mwamba said Mr Batumike and 74 of his fighters had been arrested last week for repeated rapes of about 30 very young girls near the village of Kavumu.
The justice minister also said Batumike was accused of ordering the killing of a German engineer, Walter Muller, and a Congolese human rights activist named as Evariste Kasali.
Some five million lives were lost in DR Congo's conflict between 1994 and 2003.
The Oslo Times International News Network
