Genocide suspect Murekezi arraigned in Malawi court

LILONGWE – The Malawian prosecutors on Tuesday arraigned Rwandan Genocide fugitive, Vincent Murekezi, whom they said faces more charges bordering on corruption which he must answer for before being extradited to Rwanda. Arrested last week, Murekezi is wanted in Rwanda to account for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, especially in Huye District, where he allegedly masterminded killings. Senior Assistant Chief State Advocate, Steven Kayuni, brought to the attention of the Lilongwe Magistrate Court on Tuesday that state agencies Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) had effected a warrant of arrest on Murekezi, Tuesday morning over corruption charges. Murekezi being led to a waiting police van. / Watipaso Mzungu Kayuni stated that ACB and MRA arrested Murekezi in 2008 on allegations that he was involved in criminal activities bordering on corruption together with a one Komani Nyasulu. The two were charged under Criminal Case Number 91 of 2008, according to Kayuni. The State Advocate disclosed that Murekezi took advantage of the bail the court granted him to flee the country. “He moved to Zimbabwe and the issue we have all along had is that the police have been looking for him on corruption charges. “This is because he left the country and was using a different passport,” said Kayuni. Defence lawyer Gift Katundu of Kita and Company contended that it was unthinkable for the State to issue or effect a warrant of arrest eight years after the incident happened. “The warrant of arrest could have been effected then. This warrant of arrest has been submitted to a wrong destination,” said Katundu. But Principal Resident Magistrate (PRM) Patrick Chilunga Chirwa interjected, saying “an arrest warrant does not have timeframe”. “[Therefore], I don’t see anything wrong to effect an arrest warrant on the accused today, said Chirwa. Murekezi leaving the courtroom after adjournment on Tuesday. / Watipaso Mzungu Meanwhile, court granted the State’s prayer for a 21-day adjournment to allow it conclude investigations into Murekezi’s corruption case as well as reasonable time for Malawi government to correspond with their Rwandan counterparts on the extradition process. Murekezi was arrested on Wednesday last week after a group calling itself ‘concerned’ piled pressure on government to arrest and extradite him. He is said to be a successful businessman. In an exclusive interview earlier, the fugitive said has lived in Malawi since 2003. He initially applied for temporary residence permit after securing police clearance. He went on to apply for business permit, Permanent Residence Permit (2008) and citizenship in 2013. Murekezi was granted citizenship under Citizenship Act Cap 1501 after paying US$5000. He made this payment on March 9, 2016. The following day, he applied for a passport, which was also issued, according to Immigration Department public relations officer Joseph Chauwa. Murekezi was tried and sentenced in absentia by a Gacaca court in Huye District in southern Rwanda over his role in the Genocide. He’s entitled to a retrial since the Gacaca hearings were conducted in absentia. He would be tried in conventional courts since Gacaca courts wound up business in 2012. At least six other Genocide suspects indicted by Rwandan prosecution are said to be living in Malawi. Several foreign jurisdictions have in recent years increasingly extradited or deported Genocide suspects to Rwanda. More than a million Rwandans were killed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Genocide suspect Murekezi arraigned in Malawi court