A Congolese general wanted in connection with the 1999 disappearance of 350 refugees was arrested in France on Thursday and charged with crimes against humanity, a court source said, reports Fox News.
Norbert Dabira, 64, was accused of torture and kidnapping on a massive scale by examining magistrates in a Paris court after being arrested in the town of Torcy near Paris.
The refugees had gone to neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo, fleeing from civil war in their home country, but disappeared after they returned to the port of Brazzaville.
France originally opened an investigation into the case in 2002, citing the principle of universal jurisdiction.
Dabira is the former inspector-general of the Congolese army, and since October 2012 has been a high commissioner for the re-integration of former soldiers. He holds the rank of minister.
The 64-year-old was arrested on Thursday in Torcy, and presented before magistrates for "crimes against humanity" at a court in the French capital.
When contacted by AFP, the general said he was "totally innocent" and would not leave France during the investigation.
Read more of this AFP report published by Fox News.