Kalehe, 15 March 2011 – Eleven soldiers of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC)were convicted for crimes against humanity and sentenced to prison terms ranging from 15 years to life imprisonment, in addition to paying compensatory damages.

The military judges handed down their decision on 9 March from a local court in the locality of Ihusi, in Kelehe territory, 75 km north of the provincial capital, Bukavu.

Eight out of the eleven convicted soldiers were tried in absentia.

The presiding judge said that the South Kivu military court's decision was guided by the provisions of the Rome Statute dealing with crimes against humanity.

It should be recalled that in September 2009, Katasomwa village was the scene of a campaign of looting and mass rape, during which some 20 women were raped, a four-month baby abducted, and two schools destroyed. These acts were attributed to elements of the FARDC stationed in this village during that period.
Those condemned, at least the ones present at the trial, were immediately sent to Bukavu's central prison. Their defense Counsels announced they would appeal against the judgement.

Meanwhile, an arrest warrant was immediately issued for those eight fugitives who were tried in absentia. The fugitives include seven junior officers and one noncommissioned officer.

This trial follows that in Fizi territory, where eleven soldiers were sentenced to 20 years in prison last February after they were found guilty of mass rape committed on the night of 1 January.