François-Xavier Nzuwonemeye former Commander of the Reconnaissance Battalion (RECCE) in the Rwandan Army during the genocide of 1994 was transferred to the Tribunal Detention Facility on Tuesday night 23 May 2000. Major Nzuwonemeye is facing charges of conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against Humanity and Violations of the Geneva Conventions. He was arrested on the basis of a warrant of arrest issued by the Tribunal on 15th of February 2000.

François Xavier-Nzuwonemeye was born in Kigali-Rural Prefecture. His initial appearance will take place on 25 May 2000 before Judge Pavel Dolenc of Trial Chamber III.

According to the indictment, François Xavier Nzuwonemeye in concert with prominent civilian and military officials worked out a plan with intent to exterminate the civilian Tutsi and eliminate members of the opposition. Military personnel and gendarmes, on the orders and directives of some of these authorities including François Xavier Nzuwonemeye, carried out the crimes.

François Xavier Nzuwonemeye as Commander of RECCE exercised authority over members of the Forces Armées Rwandaises, who committed crimes including rapes, sexual nature against tutsi population from 6 of April1994. Military personnel under his authority tracked down, arrested, sexually assaulted and killed former Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana.

The Tribunal has requested the services of a Duty Counsel to assist the accused pending the designation of a Counsel by the accused himself or, if found indigent, assignment of a Counsel as per as the Rules and guidelines of the ICTR.