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(Recast) DR Congo extradites top genocide suspect to Rwanda

Xinhua, March 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Sunday afternoon extradited top genocide suspect Ladislas Ntaganzwa to Rwanda.

Ntaganzwa who has been indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for crimes linked to the 1994 genocide was among the 9 most-wanted fugitives suspected of being involved in the killings, that claimed more than a 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus lives.

The genocide suspect, who arrived at Kigali International Airport aboard a UN plane, is one of the few fugitives with a 5 million U.S. dollars bounty on their heads.

Rwanda judiciary has received genocide fugitive Ntaganzwa, who was arrested late last year in DR Congo, and is expected to appear before court after ten days, according to Rwanda prosecution.

Speaking to reporters, Faustin Nkusi, a spokesman for Rwanda's state prosecutor said that the country was ready to prosecute Ntaganzwa before the specialized International Crimes Chamber of the Rwanda High Court for the crimes he is accused of.

"We thank the Congolese government for being cooperative in this case. Ntaganzwa is accused of participating in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, and extermination, murder and rape as crimes against humanity," he said.

According to the indictment the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) made against Ntaganzwa in 1996, he participated in a plan to exterminate minority ethnic Tutsi population in his commune of Nyakizu from late 1990 to July 1994.

During the 1994 genocide, Ntaganzwa was the mayor of Nyakizu commune in former Butare Prefecture, Southern Rwanda and also headed the then ruling party MRND (National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development) in the commune.

The top fugitives who have eluded justice for nearly two decades now include Felicien Kabuga, the alleged chief financier of the Genocide; Protais Mpiranya, the former commandant of the notorious Presidential Guards, and former defence minister Augustin Bizimana.

Since 1994, eastern DR Congo where Ntaganzwa was arrested has been a safe haven for the remnants of the perpetrators and masterminds of the 1994 genocide.

Presently seven people accused of committing genocide have been extradited from Uganda, Canada, US and ICTR to stand trial in Rwanda. Enditem