Mutangana has revealed this as he hosted his counterpart Dr Serge Brammertz, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) on his visit to the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA).
The discussions with the Rwandan Prosecutor General and other senior members of Rwanda’s prosecution focused on areas of cooperation in genocide fugitives’ investigations and other areas of mutual interest.
Among fugitives, Mutangana, pointed out Burundians tried in Gacaca court for their involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi nearby Rwanda, Burundi border.
Genocide survivors in Southern Province have been giving testimonies pinning Burundian Hutus to have perpetrated genocide with extreme cruelty that some of them would roast and eat victims’ hearts after killing Tutsi in 1994.
Mutangana explained that pursuing these Burundians remains an issue over relenting willingness of Burundi.
“We have records of Burundians who perpetrated genocide in Rwanda and fled. However, there was no political will on the side of Burundi to facilitate investigations into Burundians who committed genocide,” he said.
“There are many Burundians who did so in Gisagara and Nyaruguru nearby Burundi border. We issued arrest warrants but never got any feedback. That is a problem,” added Mutangana.
He explained that the issue might be currently rooted political turbulence between both countries though Burundi hadn’t proven willingness before to render justice on pursuing its citizens involved in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“We eye for Interpol support into the matter as long as the country has no willingness. The issue doesn’t only concern Burundians but also other Rwandans and foreigners staying outside Rwanda who are neither deported nor tried,” revealed Mutangana.
He emphasized that wanted Burundians are mainly based in Kayanza region nearby Rwanda’s border.
“We believe Interpol can intervene because the country has no political willingness to assist us to apprehend those suspects,” said the Prosecutor General.
Dr Brammertz highlighted that they will keep collaboration with concerned parties to bring genocide fugitives to book.
He revealed a plan to present to the United Nations Security Council, the report containing information on countries hosting genocide fugitives to be pursued.
Dr Brammertz said investigation is underway to hunt more genocide fugitives including Felicien Kabuga, Protais Mpiranya and Augustin Bizimana among others.
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