Rwanda genocide survivors urge France to retry genocide suspect

Rwandese survivors of the 1994 genocide, operating under the umbrella of their association called "IBUKA" have urged the French government to retry a Rwandese man suspected of involvement in the genocide.

Charles Twagira, a former health official in Rwanda's western town of Kibuye, was sentenced in 2009 in absentia to life imprisonment by a Rwandan court for crimes against humanity and genocide.

In March 2014, he was indicted by the French judiciary for crimes against humanity, but was released last month.

The president of IBUKA Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu said on Sunday that Twagira's release signified total impunity.

"We urge the French government to retry the case of the released genocide fugitive or extradite him to Rwanda to serve his jail sentence. We are not happy with the decision made by the French court and we really condemn it," he said.

Twagira who was working at a hospital in the French city of Rouen, has acquired French citizenship.

He was accused of being behind the deaths of thousands of people during the genocide, especially at a hospital he was managing.

Godeberthe Uwamariya, one of the Kibuye survivors, said Twagira participated in the killing of many Tutsi patients at the hospital.

"We want him to face the law and pay for what he did to innocent Rwandans. We are not pleased by the French court ruling," she said.

Currently, seven people accused of involvement in the genocide have been extradited from Uganda, Canada, U.S. and Tanzania where the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda is based, to stand trial in Rwanda.

Rwanda is still searching for more fugitives, including Rwandese businessman Felicien Kabuga who is accused of having funded the genocide. Endi