Rwanda invites DR Congo justice minister over extradition request

Justice Minister Johnston Busingye has invited his Congolese counterpart to Kigali to discuss Kinshasa’s request for extradition of Congolese citizens formerly of the M23 rebel group. In a letter to the Congolese Minister for Justice and Human Rights, Wivine Mumba, a copy of which this paper has seen, Busingye formally requested legal documents missing in the extradition request. “In keeping with Rwandan as well as international legal guidelines for extradition, there are basic requirements to allow complete identification of the suspects and enable relevant host institutions to make an accurate decision on this application.” “I also hope the Congolese justice minister will accept our invitation to Kigali to further discuss their request,” said Busingye. The documents requested include records of the suspects, charges and evidence against them, as well as legal references forming the basis of prosecution of each suspect. The subjects crossed into the country in March to escape schism in M23 group and are currently interned in a temporary facility in accordance with international laws applicable to persons who have fled an armed conflict. The four subjects for extradition are ex-leader of M23 Jean-Marie Runiga and former military commanders Baudouin Ngaruye, Eric Badege and Innocent Zimurinda. Kinshasa sent its extradition request to Kigali last month. However, Rwanda does not extradite suspects to countries that have the death penalty. Since 2008, Rwanda has sent more than 20 arrest warrants for fugitives in the DRC, including members of the FDLR, but no action has been taken by Congolese authorities.

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Rwanda invites DR Congo justice minister over extradition request