(CNN) -- The suspected leader of an armed rebel group accused of committing mass rapes this summer in Congo was arrested Tuesday morning, a spokesman for the United Nations' stabilization mission to the African nation told CNN.
The suspect, identified as Colonel Mayele, was arrested by U.N. and Congolese forces and is an alleged leader of the militia group Mai Mai Cheka, said Leocadio Salmeron, spokesman for the Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mayele was transferred to the army's military justice section in Goma, in eastern Congo, Salmeron said.
An investigation will get under way soon, the spokesman said, adding that he did not know whether Mayele had been charged.
Last month, a preliminary U.N. report slammed security forces for failing prevent the wave of mass rapes that occurred over several days during the summer.
The preliminary report confirmed that at least 303 civilians were raped between July 30 and August 2 in the Walikale region of North Kivu province.
CNN
