KIGALI - The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Hassan Boubakar Jallow, has accused the Zimbabwean government of protecting Potrais Mpiranya, a fugitive who is wanted for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Mpiranya, who is on an ICTR indictment, is categorised as a ‘big fish’ by the tribunal for his major role in the planning and executing the Genocide.

According to Zimbabwean media, Jallow has since petitioned the United Nations to ensure Zimbabwe cooperates in arresting Mpiranya.

Mpiranya, was the commander of the presidential guard during the Genocide and has a 5-million dollar bounty, under the US-funded Reward for Justice Programme.

Speaking to The New times yesterday, Augustin Nkusi, the spokesperson of Rwanda Prosecution, welcomed the move.
"It’s the role of ICTR to follow up on this particular suspect because he is wanted on their indictment...we hope this will help in his apprehension because it primarily Rwandans to benefits from his facing justice,” he said.

Countless reports have suggested that the genocide suspect has built up businesses in Harare, the Zimbabwian capital and is allegedly involved in the training of ZANU PF youth militias.

"I would urge the Zimbabwe government to devote top priority to the case of this high-level fugitive in order to secure his location, arrest and transfer to the Tribunal.” Jallow is quoted as having said in the petition.
In February this year, Zimbabwe pledged to assist Rwanda locate Mpiranya.

Other key fugitives who have remained evasive to the 15-year old time-barred tribunal include Genocide financier, Felicien Kabuga, whom, the court, for many times said was hiding in Kenya.

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