Rwanda seeks speedy extradition of Genocide suspect in Canada

Officials from the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) have said that they will soon engage in talks with Canadian officials on the extradition of a Genocide suspect who has been living in that country for the last two decades. This follows news that Canadian authorities had revoked the suspect’s refugee status after court found reason to believe he could have participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. It was discovered that the suspect, Henri Jean-Claude Seyoboka, had been a government soldier during the Genocide and sought asylum in Canada 1996 but had failed to mention his links to the army. Evidence pinning him for participating in the Genocide was gathered by investigators from both the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and Canadian courts. “It is a welcome move that a Canadian court has decided to deport him. He was not on our arrest warrant list but since he was found guilty of genocide by Gacaca courts and handed a 19-year jail sentence, we are soon going to engage with Canadian courts so that the decision to deport him is implemented soon,” said Faustin Nkusi, NPPA spokesperson. He said the suspect was also found guilty of other crimes including crimes against humanity and war crimes. Gacaca courts are home grown courts which tried over two million cases related to crimes committed during the tragedy that claimed lives of over 1 million innocent people. Seyoboka has fought extradition for many years on the grounds that he could face torture in case he was deported, but the Canadian officials dismissed this saying they had worked with the Rwandan government before, according to Canadian media reports. In 2012, the same country deported Dr Léon Mugesera to be tried in Rwanda and his case lasted for four years. He was found guilty of crimes related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi and sentenced to life in prison. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Rwanda seeks speedy extradition of Genocide suspect in Canada