Bandora to be extradited today

A Rwandan national, Charles Bandora, is to be extradited from Norway today to face charges of Genocide and other crimes against humanity committed in former Ngenda commune in Bugesera.

Sunday, March 10, 2013
Charles Bandora.

A Rwandan national, Charles Bandora, is to be extradited from Norway today to face charges of Genocide and other crimes against humanity committed in former Ngenda commune in Bugesera.This was confirmed late this week by the head of the Genocide Tracking Unit, Jean Bosco Siboyintore."He will arrive at Kigali International Airport at 7pm on Sunday and the Norwegian police will hand him to the Rwandan police and prosecution. After that, he will be informed of his charges. Next week he will appear before court and that’s when details of his charges will be made public,” Siboyintore told The Sunday Times.The Rwandan prosecution had sent a file of the suspect’s charges to Norway in 2010 after learning that he was hiding in that European country."Norwegian investigators carried out investigations on the ground in Rwanda and decided he could be tried here”, Siboyintore said.Siboyintore appreciated Norway’s decision to extradite Bandora because it will help other countries which are still hesitant to extradite Rwandan fugitives decide.Rwanda prefers genocide fugitives to be extradited to Rwanda for trial instead of being tried abroad, far away from where they committed crimes.The country has established special chambers in its High Court and Supreme Court that try those extradited. The move aims at providing fair justice to the suspects, Siboyintore said.So far, seven people accused of Genocide against the Tutsi have been extradited from Canada, the United States of America, Uganda, and the Tanzania-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).More fugitives are still being tracked, including wealthy Rwandan businessman, Félicien Kabuga, accused of bankrolling the Genocide.