Genocide fugitive Vincent Murekezi extradited from Malawi to Rwanda

The genocide suspect Vincent Murekezi, who was in custody in Malawi since 2016, has been extradited by the Malawian authorities. He is expected at Kigali International Airport Monday morning from where officials of National Public Prosecution Authority and their Malawian counterparts will issue statements.

According to sources, Murekezi would be received in Rwanda courtesy of an existing Memorandum of understanding between Rwanda Correctional Service and Malawi Prisons for exchange of prisoners. Vincent Murekezi is the first fugitive to be extradited from Malawi after two nations signed an extradition treaty in February 2017.

Murekezi is accused of taking part in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi mainly in Tumba in the current Huye District. He was arrested following an indictment sent by Rwandan prosecution. A wealthy businessman, Murekezi has been living in Malawi for over a 15 years and according to reports, he had bribed his way to acquire Malawian citizenship in 2003, New Times reported.

His arrest in December 2016 was preceded by an uproar from members of the civil society in the southern African country, where it was alleged that Murekezi was peddling influence to evade arrest. Previous reports had pinned him on forging Rwandan documents that he presented during his naturalisation process in Malawi. He is among the at least dozen indicted genocide fugitives said to be living in Malawi.