Sweden on Wednesday deported one of the key genocide suspect Jean-Paul Micomyiza a.k.a Mico to Rwanda to answer charges on his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, in the southern part of Rwanda.
Micyomyiza, 49, a former student at the National University of Rwanda during genocide was extradited on request by Rwanda.
The National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA), which filed the extradition request, welcomed the development.
“The National Public Prosecution Authority commends the Judicial Authorities of the Kingdom of Sweden for the extradition of the genocide fugitive, continued cooperation and mutual legal assistance, as well as contribution to the global effort to fight impunity,” a statement from the Prosecution reads.
Sweden earlier this month gave the green light to the extradition of Micomyiza, to Rwanda where he is accused of involvement in the genocide against the Tutsi.
This came three months after a top Swedish Court on December 21, 2021, found no reason why the Rwandan arrested in the Nordic country in 2020 should not be extradited to Kigali where he is wanted for crimes he allegedly committed during the 1994 Genocide in Butare Commune, now Huye district.
The Spokesperson of the Prosecution, Faustin Nkusi, said that the extradition process goes through courts.
“So, first and foremost, we drafted an extradition request and submitted it to the kingdom of Sweden in 2020. So they began the process of assessing and examining our request, regarding the charges that were being alleged to have been committed by Micyomyiza,”
A number of countries have been hesitant to extradite people to Rwanda fearing they will not get a fair trial or be properly protected. This stance is echoed by most human rights groups. But Rwandan prosecutors hailed Sweden’s decision as proof the judiciary system is gaining a better reputation.
CU/abj/APA