Sweden extradites Rwandan man accused of genocide

KIGALI, Rwanda

Swedish authorities have extradited to Kigali a Rwandan man who is accused of genocide, the Rwandan National Prosecution Authority said on Wednesday.

Jean Paul Micomyiza, 50, was arrested by Swedish authorities in November 2020 following an indictment by Rwandan prosecution.

His efforts to challenge the extradition in Swedish court were futile even though his lawyers claimed that the legal system in Rwanda has shortcomings.

The suspect had lived in Gothenburg city in Sweden for 15 years.

In a statement, the Rwanda National Public Prosecution Authority said that it has received Micomyiza, who is accused of genocide, complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity.

While at the university, he reportedly belonged to a committee whose mission was to search and identify members of the Tutsi community to be killed, and played a big role in the genocide.

Naphtal Ahishakiye, an official of Ibuka, the umbrella association of Rwanda genocide survivors said the extradition is a welcome gesture from the Swedish judicial authorities at a time when many suspects still roam freely outside the country.

Rwandan authorities say more than 1,000 Rwanda genocide suspects are still at large in different countries.

About 1 million people, mostly of the Tutsi community and moderate Hutus, were killed in by Hutu extremists during the 100-day massacre in 1994.