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The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) today freed genocide suspect Bernard Ntuyahaga for lack of evidence, the independent Hirondelle news agency reported. The former major in charge of logistics at the Kigali military camp was accused of the murder of former prime minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana as well as her escort of 10 Belgian UN peacekeepers. He was however returned to the ICTR’s detention facilities “for his own protection”. According to an agreement between the ICTR and Tanzania, freed prisoners benefit from two weeks’ immunity.
Both Belgium and Rwanda have been seeking his extradition. “If the ICTR has no evidence, it should hand him over, as we do have proof,” Rwandan Justice Minister Jean de Dieu Mucyo said, according to Rwandan radio. Belgium’s representative in Arusha Eric David said it was possible the Tanzanian authorities could now hand Ntuyahaga over to Brussels, as the two countries have an extradition agreement.
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