Rwandan killer gets three-month sentence in Belgium

By Edwin Musoni

RWANDANS in Belgium are today expected to stage peaceful protests against a sentence handed to the murderer of Willy Ishimwe Karimwabo, a 20-year old Rwandan killed last week.

Karimwabo was slain last week by 16-year old Eric 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 handed a heavier sentence since he belonged to a criminal gang,” Rwanda’s Ambassador to Belgium, Robert Masozera, told The New Times. 

Belgian police confirmed that Turikunkiko indeed belonged to a criminal gang in Brussels. 

“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 Euros from Turikunkiko promising to pay back with an interest of 50 per cent. 

As the morning approached, Karimwabo paid back the 20 Euros with no interest which sparked an argument between the two leading to Turikunkiko stabbing him to death. 

Police arrived at the scene before the victim died but still capable of talking, hence identifying the suspect, Turikunkiko, to the police. 

Karimwabo was a Genocide survivor who stayed with his mother Rose Rusingiza. The family has lived in Belgium since he was three years old.

Source: NT (28/12/2012): http://www.newtimes.co.rw/news/index.php?i=15220&a=62261