The revelation was made by NPPA Spokesperson, Faustin Nkusi on 27th April 2022 following the deportation of Jean Paul Micomyiza from Sweden to Rwanda.

Micomyiza is facing charges including role in crimes of Genocide, complicity in Genocide and crimes against humanity which he allegedly committed in Huye District of Southern Province.

Faustin Nkusi has revealed that Micomyiza is set to be informed about alleged crimes by Rwanda investigation Bureau (RIB) before being transferred to the Prosecution.

Rwanda has received 29 Genocide fugitives deported from foreign countries since 2005 yet the country issued 1147 arrest warrants. This shows that the number of deportees is still low compared to the number of Genocide fugitives.

Nkusi has observed that there is a step made so far even though a lot needs to be done.

Despite the fact that the number of deported Genocide fugitives remains low, Nkusi said that some countries like Sweden have made efforts to hold them accountable.

“Sweden has also tried other three fugitives in their domestic courts and they are currently serving life sentence, have extradited one fugitive and had seven extradition requests to handle. We commend them for doing a good job. They remain with three and we hope even the remaining three fugitives will be brought to our country,” said Nkusi.

So far, 24 Genocide suspects have been tried in 24 countries. These include Théodore Rukeratabaro, Claver Berinkindi and Stanisilas Mbanenande who were handed life sentence by Sweden courts.

Nkusi expressed optimism that in collaboration with different countries, perpetrators of the imprescriptible crimes will be brought to book.

“Each suspect has his own day. They will be brought to justice one day. They will be tried either in Rwanda or in those countries because cooperation is going on and we are working together with these countries to make sure that suspects are brought to justice, that those who have committed genocide and other crimes should not remain at large and in safe havens,” he said.

IBUKA, the umbrella organization of survivors of Genocide against Tutsi has disclosed that the deportation of Micomyiza should leave a lesson to other countries which have not yet handed over Genocide fugitives to face justice.

“We have welcomed the decision of Sweden judiciary to deport Jean Paul Micomyiza to Rwanda. It is a good move because Genocide is a crime against humanity. All countries should play a role to deliver justice,” the Executive Secretary of IBUKA, Ahishakiye Naphtal has told IGIHE.

“We commend this step by Sweden which serves as an example to other countries. We also hail other countries that take similar decision because it should be emulated by those relenting to follow the suit to send suspects to Rwanda,” he added.

According to the Prosecution, arrest warrants for Micomyiza were issued since 2013 while the last one which led to his detention was issued in 2020.

At the time, he was seized and taken to court to decide whether he would be extradited to Rwanda or tried in Sweden. It was resolved that he had to be taken back home to face justice.