Rwanda genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga, 84, alleged to have been a leading figure in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda – was arrested in Paris by French authorities.
“The arrest of Felicien Kabuga today is a reminder that those responsible for genocide can be brought to account, even 26 years after their crimes,” said Serge Brammertz, chief prosecutor of the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals in The Hague.
Kabuga was indicted by the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in 1997 on seven counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, persecution and extermination, all in relation to crimes committed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya) applauded the cooperation between the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) and the French authorities in the arrest.
“The arrest of Félicien Kabuga is a testament that those responsible for grave crimes like genocide and crimes against humanity cannot evade justice and will eventually be held accountable even a quarter of a century after the crimes were committed,” said Mr. Kelvin Mogeni, Chairperson of the ICJ Kenya Council.
“ICJ Kenya reaffirms its commitment to supporting accountability for grave crimes and justice for victims of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. We call upon all States to cooperate with the IRMCT in the location, arrest, detention, surrender and transfer of accused persons still at large,” he added.
