Netherlands extradites Rwandan genocide suspect

By James Tasamba

KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The Netherlands extradited a Rwandan genocide suspect to Kigali on Monday following a request.

Venant Rutunga, 72, faces three charges, including playing a role in the genocide, complicity in killing and crimes against humanity, according to Rwanda’s National Public Prosecution Authority.

In 2018, Kigali requested the extradition of Rutunga, who is a former director at an agriculture institute in southern Rwanda.

His extradition came after he exhausted legal battles against it in Dutch courts.

Rwanda commends Dutch judicial authorities for the extradition of genocide suspects and contribution to the global effort to fight impunity, Faustin Nkusi, the spokesperson for the National Public Prosecution Authority, said in a statement.

The genocide against the Tutsi ethnic group began on April 7, 1994 and claimed more than a million lives within a span of 100 days, mainly of Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

The International Crime Unit of the Dutch National Police arrested Rutunga in March 2019.