12.07.07 - ICTR/FRANCE - THE RESIDENCES OF TWO ACCUSED EXILED IN FRANCE ARE KNOWN

Arusha, 12 July 2007 (FH) - The residences of Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka and Mr. Laurent Bucyibaruta, both exiled in France and sought by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) for their alleged role in the 1994 genocide, are known.  

0 min 55Approximate reading time

In two distinct motions last 12 June, the ICTR prosecutor, Hassan Bubacar Jallow, asked the Tribunal to authorize him to transfer them to French courts.

France is ready to try them and has jurisdiction, according to these two motions that the Hirondelle news agency obtained on Thursday.

The texts specify that the catholic priest resides, according to the last information received, at "4 Rue St-Gervais, 27 140 Gisors" in Eure, in North-Western France.

The last known address of the former prefect of Gikongoro (southern Rwanda) is "12 Cour Pablo Picasso, Apt 92, 10 120 Saint-Andre Les Vergers " in Aube, in North-Eastern France, indicates the same source.

The two men were indicted in 2005 but it was only last month that their indictments were revealed. The reason behind was "to avoid informing the defendants and impeding (their) arrests".

Rwandan authorities and representatives of the organizations of survivors have denounced the plan aiming at trying in France persons accused of genocide.

Kigali accuses Paris of having played a part in the genocide, which France has always denied.

The ICTR, to which the Security Council has given until the end of next year to finish all the trials, must transfer some accused to national courts, including in Rwanda.

ER/MM/AT

© Hirondelle News Agency