28.04.08 - RWANDA/JUSTICE - RPF INDICTMENTS: RWANDA SEEKS SANCTION AGAINST FRENCH, SPANISH JUDGES

Kigali, 28 April 2008 (FH) - The Rwandan Minister for Justice, Tharcisse Karugarama, has asked international community to impose sanctions against the French and Spanish Judges, Jean Louis Bruguiere and Fernando Merelles, respectively for issuing indictments against the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) for alleged atrocities committed during the 1994 genocide. RPF is currently in power in Kigali.

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"These judges spread false information on Tutsi genocide in Rwanda and knowingly did it for political reasons. We ask international community to sanction such a behaviour", alleged Mr Karugarama during a conference which was held in Dublin, Ireland last week.

According to Rwandan state radio, the minister urged governments and delegates at the conference to ignore the judges' remarks and instead to take stern measures against those who support and propagate genocide ideology.

He expressed gratitude to Belgium, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, the Netherlands, Finland, New Zealand and lately France, which have contributed to the arrest of alleged authors of the 1994 genocide.

Karugarama also briefed the participants on the ongoing Rwandan legal reforms and efforts towards restoration of unity and national reconciliation.

The nine arrest warrants issued by French Judge Bruguiere implicates RPF in the death of the then President Juvenal Habyarimana whereas Spanish Judge Fernando has indicted 40 RPF members over charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, acquaintances of President Paul Kagame.

The arrest warrants were issued on 17 November 2006 and 6 February 2008 respectively.

SRE/PB/MM/SC

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