ICTR urges Kenya, Zimbabwe to cooperate over fugitives

Kenya has again been asked to fully cooperate with the Tanzania-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to arrest and transfer suspected Genocide financier, Felicien Kabuga. The appeal was made by the ICTR Prosecutor, Hassan Bubacar Jallow, in his briefing to the UN SecurityCouncil. According to a UN statement, Jallow expressed difficulty in the apprehension of Protais Mpiranya, the former commander of the notorious Presidential Guard and alleged killer of former Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana. Reliable information by the court indicates that Mpiranya, one of the most wanted fugitives, is hiding in Zimbabwe. Jallow said 17 years after ICTR’s establishment, nine fugitives sought by the tribunal remain at large. The tribunal is presently preserving evidence against three of the highest-ranking fugitives; Kabuga, Mpiranya and former Army Chief of Staff Augustin Bizimana. “Tracking and arresting the nine fugitives remains a major challenge for the timely and proper completion by the ICTR,” Jallow is quoted as saying. “I am hopeful that with greater cooperation from member states of the Great Lakes Conference, the many fugitives located in the territories of the conference will be arrested and brought to account, thereby serving the interests of not only global justice, but also regional peace and stability.” The Security Council should request both Kenya and Zimbabwe to fully discharge their legal obligations in this respect, Jallow is quoted. The Prosecutor continues to engage with relevant States to secure their cooperation in capturing the suspects. Prosecutor General, Martin Ngoga, Friday told The New Times that he did not doubt the tracking capacity of the ICTR. “All UN member states remain under obligation to cooperate with the ICTR. I hope as the Prosecutor intensifies his efforts, and provides more concrete information, we can be optimistic these suspects will be apprehended,” he said. The trial work of the ICTR is due to be finished by the end of the second quarter of 2012 and appeals by early 2014. Ends

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ICTR urges Kenya, Zimbabwe to cooperate over fugitives