The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has transferred the case of genocide suspect Bernard Munyagishari over to Rwandan authorities, marking only the fifth case in history that it has referred on.
A three-judge UN tribunal panel decided to transfer Munyagishari's case after ruling,
Whilst Rwanda has long called on the ICTR to hand over all suspects and convicts to Rwanda, there has been reluctance to do so. Convicted inmates were primarily sent to Mali or Benin to complete prison sentences.
So far the tribunal has completed 72 cases of which 17 are awaiting appeal while 10 have been acquitted.
A three-judge UN tribunal panel decided to transfer Munyagishari's case after ruling,
"Rwanda has made material changes in its laws and has indicated its capacity and willingness to prosecute cases referred by this Tribunal."Munyagishari stands accused of conspiracy to commit genocide, complicity in genocide, murder and rape as crimes against humanity, during the 1994 genocide. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Whilst Rwanda has long called on the ICTR to hand over all suspects and convicts to Rwanda, there has been reluctance to do so. Convicted inmates were primarily sent to Mali or Benin to complete prison sentences.
So far the tribunal has completed 72 cases of which 17 are awaiting appeal while 10 have been acquitted.