Soldiers on trial charged with DR Congo mass rapes

Prosecutors are accusing Lt Col Kibibi Mutware and the other soldiers, including three officers, of having taken an active role in the raping of at least 35 women. The alleged rapes took place in the town of Fizi, in the eastern province of South Kivu.

While Col Kibibi denied the charges, there have been numerous cases of mass rape in the unstable east of DR Congo in the past.

Military and humanitarian spokesperson have been reported as claiming that the events on New Year's Day began when a mob lynched a soldier who had shot a civilian - allegedly in a fight over a woman.

A group of soldiers then allegedly took revenge on the people of Fizi, injuring at least 26 besides those women whom they raped. Col Kibibi has however dismissed the allegations while also maintaining that the soldiers who had committed crimes had disobeyed his orders.

The attacks prompted UN officials to urge a speedy investigation and transparent legal process to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The trial is being held at a special mobile court in the town of Baraka, near Fizi, designed to bring justice to remote parts of the country.

The trial is expected to last 10 days and is being held with the assistance of the UN mission in DR Congo, the American Bar Association and Avocats Sans Frontieres (Lawyers Without Borders).