"The prosecutor's tracking team continues to intensify its efforts to locate the 13 remaining fugitives", according to a report prepared by Judge Dennis Byron, president of the Tribunal. Judge Byron underlined that the security situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo has rendered this task more difficult.
He also added that the prosecutor continued to pursue with the government of Kenya on the seizure of the assets of Felicien Kabuga, as well as his arrest and transfer to the Tribunal for trial.
The rich Rwandan businessman allegedly financed the 1994 genocide which resulted, according to the U.N., in nearly 800 000 deaths, mainly ethnic Tutsis. Kabuga is alleged to be hiding in Kenya and runs several of his business there.
"The arrest of the 13 remaining fugitives remains a core element of the Tribunal's mandate. The prosecutor continues to undertake diplomatic missions to secure the political support and cooperation of States for the fugitives' arrest and transfer to the Tribunal", added the report.
The president and prosecutor of the ICTR will present next Thursday before the Security Council the assessment of the implementation of the completion strategy of the Tribunal.
The UN Security Council has directed that all first instance trials must be concluded before end of the year.
ER/MM/SC/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency