Rwanda welcomes Spanish court decision to drop cases against its officials

Rwanda has welcomed a decision by the Spanish Supreme Court to drop war crime and genocide charges against 40 current and former Rwandan officials.

The Spanish court earlier this week revoked arrest warrants against the 40 issued by a Spanish judge, and ordered their cases closed.

In 2008, the Spanish judge charged these senior officials with war crimes and genocide during the 1990s.

Relations between Rwanda and Spain have soured since then.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Minister of Justice Johnston Busingye said the Spanish Supreme Court "has done the right thing".

"For years, the 40 Rwandan individuals have endured sustained persecution at the hands of an investigating judge whose radical motives and actions have now been definitively overturned and halted by the highest court in Spain," he said.

"It's gratifying that we can finally move on from this regrettable episode," he added, hinting the ties between the two countries would improve.

Gen Karenzi Karake, Rwanda's chief of intelligence, was arrested in June on the charges at the Heathrow airport in London, but was later released following strong protests from Rwanda.

Rwanda describes the accusations as highly politicized and being based on arrogance of Western powers on African nations. Endit