The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) took custody of Callixte Kalimanzira who surrendered to Tanzanian authorities today in Arusha . Kalimanzira, who was Acting Minister of Interior of Rwanda in April and May 1994, will face charges in connection with his alleged involvement in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Kalimanzira, 52, was immediately transferred to the UN Detention Facility in Arusha, Tanzania. He is charged with genocide, in the alternative complicity in genocide, and with direct and public incitement to commit genocide.

Kalimanzira, is alleged to have coordinated efforts to commence the killings of Tutsis in Butare prefecture, where Tutsis had not been subject to widespread attacks between 6 April and 19 April 1994. He is specifically charged with giving inflammatory speeches that called for the elimination of all Tutsis, including women, children and the elderly; with distributing weapons to be used in the massacres of Tutsis; with supervising the killings of thousands of Tutsis at their places of refuge; and with personally beating some Tutsis to death.

His surrender brings to 72 the number of accused persons who have been arrested by the Tribunal.