At last: Malawi arrest genocide convict Vincent Murekezi

Malawi Police have arrested genocide convict Vincent Murekezi following pressure from citizens who have pushing for the Rwandan’s arrest and extradition.

Murekezi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in Rwanda for his role in the genocide, is reported to have been arrested on Thursday at 9:30 hours at his house in Lilongwe.

Appearing before senior resident magistrate Patrick Chirwa, lawyer representing Murekezi Gift Katundu said the case should be referred to the high court.

Malawi’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) is expected to take over the case during the next court proceeding that has been scheduled for December 14.

Rwandan authorities have been asking for Murekezi’s extradition since 2009 and recently expressed hope that the Malawi government will do the needful.

“We are still hopeful that Malawi will cooperate by extraditing Murekezi,” Rwanda National prosecution spokesman Nkusi Faustin said.

But since 2009 Malawi government is reported to have given the matter a cold shoulder as investigations on the convict’s whereabouts were not followed

A group of concerned citizens led by Phillip Kamangira emerged last month and began pressurising government to extradite Murekezi saying he is a threat to the country.

Murekezi whose jail term was given while he was enjoying the comfort of mother Malawi became the wanted convict by the Rwandan government after having a hand in the killings of Tutsis tribe.