Rwanda: man suspected of being involved in genocide indicted in Paris
The Genocide Memorial, in Ntarama, Rwanda (photo illustration).
Jacques NKINZINGABO / AFP
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
Aged 72 and born in Rwanda, Isaak Kamali is believed to have played a leading role in the genocide of the Tutsis.
He was indicted Thursday by a Parisian examining magistrate in particular for "genocide" and "crimes against humanity", indicated the national anti-terrorism prosecution (PNAT).
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For years Isaak Kamali has skilfully used borders and his dual nationality to avoid being held accountable.
Naturalized French in 2002, he was not extradited to Rwanda, where he was nevertheless sentenced in 2003 to the death penalty in absentia.
France refusing to extradite its nationals.
According to the press release from the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT), Isaac Kamali, 72, is accused of "
his involvement in the
genocide of the Tutsis
committed in Rwanda in 1994, in particular within the jurisdiction of the prefecture of Gitarama
".
Towards a trial
His indictment on Thursday September 16 for "genocide" and "crimes against humanity" could pave the way for a trial in France of Isaak Kamali, even if for the moment, because of his state of health, he has been placed under judicial control and not incarcerated.
According to the investigations of French investigators, Isaak Kamali would have actively participated in the massacre of thousands of Rwandan Tutsis and moderate Hutus as an agent of the Ministry of Public Works and Energy, the Minitrape.
Investigation
In the spring of 1994, he was suspected of having helped organize killings by providing material resources, in particular vehicles, to extremist militias.
He is also said to have taken part in certain abuses himself.
According to the UN, the genocide killed more than 800,000 people.
A judicial investigation was opened in 2009 in Paris after a complaint from the Collectif des parties civililes du Rwanda (CPCR).
According to the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT), several letters rogatory were sent to Rwanda, Mali and Benin as part of this investigation.
The investigations, carried out by the Office for the fight against crimes against humanity, genocides and war crimes (OCLCH), have resulted in several trips to Rwanda.
Heard by an investigating judge, the alleged genocidaire contested the facts alleged against him.
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