29.02.08 - ICTR/RWANDA - KIGALI TO HOST ICTR-GENOCIDE CONVICTED PERSONS

Arusha, 29 February 2008 (FH) - The Rwandan government and the United Nations will sign on Tuesday in Kigali an agreement that will allow persons sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to serve their sentences in Kigali, reports Hirondelle Agency.

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The spokesperson for the Tribunal, Roland Amoussouga, told a press Conference Friday that the United Nations will be represented during the signing ceremony by the Registrar of the ICTR, Senegalese Adama Dieng.

The UN Court already has a similar agreement with six other countries--Mali, Benin, Swaziland, France, Italy and Sweden.

Six convicts, including the former Prime Minister during the 1994 genocide, Jean Kambanda, are held in a Malian prison whereas the Italian-Belgian journalist, George Ruggiu, the only non-Rwandan to be prosecuted by ICTR, was transferred on Thursday to Italy.

The preparations for the Kigali agreement started in September 2004.

The ICTR detention center in Arusha, Tanzania, currently holds 18 convicted persons, who are waiting for host countries. Among them is Vincent Rutaganira, former Counsellor, who will be released from prison on Sunday morning.

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© Hirondelle News Agency