Rwandan genocide convict Murekezi arrested
Police in Lilongwe yesterday finally arrested a Rwandan war genocide fugitive Vincent Murekezi, a day after it transpired that the Rwandan government expressed concern over his prolonged stay in Malawi which he turned into a safe haven.
National Police Headquarters spokesperson James Kadadzera confirmed in an interview yesterday that Murekezi, who later in the afternoon appeared before the Lilongwe Magistrate’s Court, was in police custody.
Said Kadadzera: “We have arrested him. He is in custody and we are handing over the legal process to the office of DPP [director of public prosecutions] for extradition. He is expected to be taken to court for this process. Mr. Vincent Murekezi has been arrested in connection with his conviction on genocide charges in Rwanda.”
One of Murekezi’s lawyers, Gift Katundu, also confirmed both the arrest and subsequent court appearance, saying his client was now remanded at Maula Prison in Lilongwe.
“We went to court where the State briefly explained the reasons why they have arrested him. Proceedings will resume next Tuesday where the State will be expected to start committal procedures as the case will have to be heard by the High Court,” said Katundu.
Murekezi, according to Kigali, was found guilty for crimes related to the 1994 genocide and subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment.
The arrest comes as the Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Security was planning to meet and discuss Murekezi’s case following a petition by civil society, the committee’s chairperson’s Olipa Chiluwa confirmed Wednesday.
