Norwegian Justice Department confirms Bandora’s extradition

The Norwegian Justice Department has decided to extradite genocide suspect, Charles Bandora, 58, to Rwanda, where he is wanted for genocide, crimes against humanity and mass murder during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.Norway’s Justice Department State Secretary, Pål Lønseth, confirmed to the press the decision, saying that his country had to issue a series of demands to the Rwandan authorities as a condition for extradition.The extradition case against Bandora had previously passed all stages of the criminal justice system in Norway; from the Oslo District Court, through the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. Norwegian authorities, as one of the conditions for extradition, requested that an international organisation be given the opportunity to observe Bandora’s trial in Rwanda.Rwanda already has international organizations, including the African Court of Human Rights, observing high profile cases such as that of Jean Uwinkindi, who was sent back to Rwanda by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Bandora is alleged to have organised and participated in killings of hundreds of Tutsi who had taken refuge at Ruhuha Church in Ngenda Commune.“This is good news, but Bandora still has one option of appealing to the Kings Court. If the King’s Court (Cabinet) upholds prior decisions, then he will be brought to Rwanda,” said the head of Fugitive Tracking Unit, Jean Bosco Siboyintore. Bandora’s lawyer has confirmed that he will appeal the decision in the King’s Court. The appeal to the King’s Court is a suspensive effect, meaning that decisions may not yet become final. But reliable sources says the cabinet is unlikely to overrule a decision by one of its members, the Justice Department State Secretary.