Rwandan community to stage peaceful protest

Rwandans in Belgium are expected to stage peaceful protests today against a sentence handed down to Eric Turikunkiko for the murder of Willy Ishimwe Karimwabo, a 20-year old Rwandan killed last week, writes The New Times’ Edwin Musoni. Karimwabo was slain by 16-year old Turikunkiko, another Rwandan, who was later sentenced to three months in jail on grounds that he is a minor. “People who will be protesting claim that they want Turikunkiko to be given a heavier sentence since he belonged to a criminal gang,” Rwanda’s Ambassador to Belgium, Robert Masozera (pictured), told The New Times. Belgian police confirmed that Turikunkiko indeed belonged to a criminal gang in Brussels, thought to be the Versailles gang. “Karimwabo will be laid to rest on Saturday, but there is a lot of anger among Rwandans here,” said Masozera. He added that the embassy is currently engaged in calming the Rwandans living in Belgium, helping out the family of the deceased and engaging the police on details of the case. Witness accounts indicate that on the night of December 21, the diseased went out with his Togolese friend and met with Turikunkiko. As the trio enjoyed their drinks, Karimwabo borrowed €20 from Turikunkiko, promising to pay it back with an interest of 50 percent. As the morning approached, Karimwabo paid back the €20 with no interest, which sparked an argument leading to the stabbing death. Police arrived at the scene – outside Brussels’ Central station - before the victim died, and he  identifed the suspect to the police. Karimwabo was a genocide survivor who was living with his mother, Rose Rusingiza. The family has lived in Belgium since Karimwabo was three years old.