The case against a fugitive that was arrested in Paarl on Wednesday and accused of orchestrating mass murder during the Rwandan genocide in 1994, was postponed in the Cape Town Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
Also read: Rwandan genocide suspect arrested in Paarl after decades on the run
This comes as the state expressed its intention to add more charges against Fulgence Kayishema, who has been linked to the murders of some 2000 men, women and children in the African state nearly 30 years ago.
The 61-year-old made a brief appearance on Friday on two counts of fraud and three counts of transgression of the Immigration Act.
He was arrested in Paarl on Wednesday after being placed on the Interpol Red Notice.
According to IOL, NPA regional spokesperson, Eric Ntabazalila said that the State alleged that in January 2000, Kayishema gave out and pretended to another person by giving a wrong name and stating he was a Burundian national.
‘He did the same in 2004 when he applied for a formal refugee status. He also stayed in the country illegally,’ Ntabazalila said.
The NPA spokesperson added that the state had asked for the case to be postponed for a week for further investigation and intended to add more charges and oppose bail.
‘His case has been postponed until 2 June for further investigation,’ Ntabazalila confirmed.
Subsequently, Chief Prosecutor for the UN’s International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, Serge Brammertz, said that Kayishema’s arrest ‘ensures that he will finally face justice for his alleged crimes.’
‘Genocide is the most serious crime known to humankind. The international community has committed to ensure that its perpetrators will be prosecuted and punished.
‘This arrest is a tangible demonstration that this commitment does not fade and that justice will be done, no matter how long it takes,’ he said.
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Picture: UN.org