Leon Mugesera has already arrived in Kigali, Rwanda aboard a light aircraft that touched ground late Tuesday evening at Kigali International Airport.
Mugesera is wanted by the Rwandan authorities for incitement to genocide for a speech he delivered two years before the 1994 Tutsi genocide that claimed a million lives.
“Leon Mugesera’s deportation, while decades past due, is welcome news for a people committed to healing and justice,” Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said in a Tweet.
“Canada did the right thing.”Mushikiwabo added.
She thanked Canadians, whom she said saw through an international legal labyrinth and decided Mugesera must go.
“Reaction here in Rwanda is very positive. The victims of Mugesera’s speech are finally going to get justice,” added Mushikiwabo.
“It’s unfortunate that the extradition took so long, but it’s still good news. It sends an important signal to all those who are being sought by Rwanda for their role in the genocide,” she said.
“For us Rwandans it is also the culmination of the progress made in the sector of the judiciary since the end of the genocide,” she said.
“It is exciting that this chapter is finally closed, after 16 years of all sorts of abuse of process. The task ahead is one for which we are well prepared – a fair and transparent trial,” Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga said.
“The new era is unfolding and sooner than later, Rwandans will witness what they have longed for – to see trials taking place where genocide was committed,” he said.
Leave a Reply