Rwanda issues indictments for two Genocide suspects in New Zealand

The Government has issued indictments for two of the three known Genocide fugitives in New Zealand, the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) has said. NPPA spokesperson Faustin Nkusi, who was responding to media reports that a Rwandan living in New Zealand, and suspected of being involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, was trying to secure confidentiality for witnesses in his defence. The man, who reportedly cannot be identified, denies the allegations, and says his immigration approval should not be cancelled. According to The Dominion Post, a Willington-based newspaper, so far there has been no attempt to extradite or deport him, but he has been told his status is being reconsidered. Nkusi told The New Times that there are three known Genocide fugitives in New Zealand but he could not ably tell which one is being referred to. Nkusi said: “We continue to investigate the other one thoroughly and an indictment could be sent as well once investigations conclude.” Meanwhile, the New Zealand newspaper reported that the Court of Appeal in Wellington, the capital of New Zealand, was told on Thursday that, as part of that reconsideration, he wants New Zealand authorities to see the 35 witness statements he has. The man’s lawyer, Grant Illingworth, QC, reportedly said that nearly 20 of those are from witnesses who gave statements only on condition they not be shown to Rwandan authorities. The man reportedly wants an undertaking from New Zealand immigration authorities that they will not disclose the confidential statements but the court has reserved its decision on how the statements should be treated. Last week, the Head of the Genocide Fugitive Tracking Unit (GFTU), John Bosco Siboyintore, told journalists that lack of political will in countries like France is one of the reasons the arrest of high profile most wanted fugitives is difficult. He also said matters are worsened by the fact that the suspects usually change names and location, in addition to the lack of awareness of the 1994 Genocide and inadequate information on the whereabouts of the fugitives. Other obstacles, Siboyintore said, include lack of extradition treaties and legal frameworks with some countries; suspects lying that they are being sought for political persecution, and the impossible conditions of identifiers such as DNA profiles, fingerprints, photos, and others, as usually “demanded by Interpol in order to publish red notices against them.” Since the creation of GFTU in 2007, about 605 indictments and international arrest warrants have been issued against Genocide suspects in 32 countries in Africa, Europe, North America, Canada and New Zealand. No suspect has ever been located in Asia. In the past, a total of 18 Genocide fugitives were tried abroad, with 17 convicted, whereas one was acquitted. Pending extraditions include the case in the UK – pending an appeal – involving five suspects. The UK appeal is likely to be heard in November. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda issues indictments for two Genocide suspects in New Zealand