DRC to extradite genocide suspect to Rwanda Ladislas Ntaganzwa
Ladislas Ntaganzwa

Ladislas Ntaganzwa

KINSHASA. — Democratic Republic of Congo will extradite a suspect in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, DRC’s Justice Minister said on Thursday, retreating from an earlier demand that Rwanda first respond to DRC’s own extradition requests.

Ladislas Ntaganzwa, a former Rwandan mayor under indictment for his alleged role in the slaughter of some 800 000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus by ethnic Hutu militias, was arrested in eastern DRC in December. He was one of nine high-profile fugitives wanted in connection with the genocide who are still at large. Rwanda has accused him of genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, extermination, murder and rape.

Justice Minister Alexis Thambwe said that he had promised a delegation from the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, a UN body charged with overseeing prosecutions related to the genocide, on February 19 that Ntaganzwa would be extradited within a month.

“I confirmed to them on that occasion that we agreed to extradite Ladislas,” he said.

“At the moment, there are just a few formalities to take care of. It could happen at any moment.”

DRC officials said after the arrest that Rwandan authorities should extradite individuals wanted in DRC first, including Laurent Nkunda, the former leader of a Rwandan-backed insurrection in eastern DRC from 2006-2009. — Reuters.

You Might Also Like

Comments

Take our Survey

We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey