Rwandan rebel leader Callixte Mbarushimana, accused of war crimes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), makes his first appearance in a French court on Wednesday. 

French authorities arrested Mbarushimana earlier this month after a sealed arrest warrant was issued on September 28, alleging the rebel group was involved in rapes, killings, and destruction in DRC's Kivu Provinces.      

Mbarushimana, 47, denies any involvement.            

Philippe Greciano, Mbarushimana's lawyer, says Mbarushimana must be set free by the French court as a political refugee in France.              

[Philippe Greciano, Mbarushimana's Lawyer]: 

"France must release him because he is a political refugee on French soil but also because he brings all the guarantees of French representation. He has a house, he has work, he has a family. He's never had a problem with the French or international justice. All the affairs against him didn't lead to anything and that proves that this is a person who needs to be set free, having specified that he can always be present in court when convened.”

Mbarushimana is the fifth suspect in the custody of the International Criminal Court or ICC, which is investigating five "situations" in Africa.  But the ICC has no police force of its own and struggles to enforce arrest warrants.              

Mbarushimana’s arrest was the result of almost two years of inquiries conducted by France, Germany, the DRC, Rwanda and the ICC.