Frenchman, Christophe Renaiteau

from OMAN MBIKO in Bangui, Central African Republic
BANGUI – AUTHORITIES in the Central African Republic (CAR) will try in absenstia the Frenchman, Christophe Renaiteau, arrested in Madagascar and deported following an existing judicial cooperation agreement between France and Madagascar.

CAR has slapped 11 charges against Renaiteau for his alleged involvement in the terror attack that killed 26 people, including a priest, in May last year.

The charges border on offences against the internal security of the state, conspiracy and illegal possession of weapons of war.

He has been on the run since his February arrest in the island African country arrest following an international arrest warrant.

CAR Justice Minister, Flavien Mbata, issued an international arrest warrant via the Interpol.

Attorney General, Eric Didier Tambo, said despite Malagasy expelling Renaiteau, the trial would proceed in the Central African country. A delegation of the judges had arrived in the capital Bangui in anticipation of the trial but only learnt of the extradition of Renaiteau to France.

“Christophe Renaiteau will be tried in absentia,” Tambo announced.

‘We will make the disjunction to convict the alleged criminals we have already arrested in this case,” he added.

Others accused of complicity in the killings in the capital Bangui last year include terror leader, Nimery Matar, alias Force, and another rebel leader, alias Emperor, now deceased.

– CAJ News