Rwanda pushes for extradition of more genocide fugitives

Rwanda has called on the international community to apprehend and extradite genocide fugitives roaming freely in their respective countries.

Richard Muhumuza, Rwanda Prosecutor General told reporters Sunday, that Rwanda Genocide Fugitive Tracking Unit (GFTU) is pursuing more than 500 genocide suspects in hiding around the world.

"We thank countries that have cooperated with Rwanda and already extradited notorious genocide suspects to the country, but we are looking forward for more fugitives brought to Rwanda to face justice," he said. "We call upon the international community to investigate, arrest and extradite, all other fugitives accused of genocide residing on their territories."

Muhumuza's comments follow the extradition of two genocide suspects from Netherlands to Rwanda on Saturday evening.

The extradition follows a Dutch court's ruling to deport Jean-Claude Iyamuremye and Jean-Baptiste Mugimba, for genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the 1994 genocide.

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) commended the Dutch government for supporting the cause for justice.

Most of the suspects residing in Europe are in Belgium and France. In Africa, most fugitives are said to be hiding in neighboring DR Congo and Uganda, according to GFTU.

"We are happy about the decision taken by Holland to seek for justice of genocide victims. We had been requesting for their extradition through normal channels, and finally it has happened. We call upon other countries to follow suit," said Jean-Damascene Bizimana, executive secretary of CNLG.

He hailed foreign countries for trusting the Rwandan justice system to be able to handle genocide cases fairly.

According to the Rwanda prosecution, the suspects extradited from Holland have been transferred to Kigali Central Prison where they will await trial before the specialized International Crimes Chamber of the High Court.

Both Mugimba and Iyamuremye will be tried for genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, murder as a crime against humanity and extermination as a crime against humanity committed in Kigali City.

Mugimba was born on October 24, 1959 in then Cyambara, Gaturo Sector, Mutura Commune, Gisenyi Prefecture, Western Rwanda.

During the 1994 Genocide, he lived in Nyakabanda Sector, Nyarugenge Commune in Kigali.

He was previously employed by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) and was Secretary General of the Coalition for the Defence of the Republic ("CDR"), an extremist Hutu political party.

Iyamuremye was born on December 14, 1975, in the former Gatare cellule, Kicukiro sector, Kanombe commune of Kigali City.

He is suspected of having been the leader of the "Interahamwe" militia in Kicukiro sector and a member of the Mouvement Revolutionnaire National Pour Development (MRND).

Presently eleven people accused of committing genocide have been extradited from Uganda, DR Congo, Canada, U.S, Netherlands and ICTR to stand trial in Rwanda.

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. Endit