The extradition case in the UK against Rwanda’s intelligence chief Gen Karenzi Karake has been dropped.
At the Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London, the Spanish authorities admitted that the General had committed no offence that could be prosecuted in England and Spain proving the wrongful arrest of the General.
The General was arrested by the Metropolitan Police at London Heathrow Airport on 20th June as he attempted to return home to Rwanda following his latest official visit to the UK. This was based upon a 2008 European Arrest Warrant sparked off by an indictment issued by a Spanish judge in the same year.
The Spanish indictment alleges that Lt. Gen. Karake and 39 other top leaders of the present Rwandan Government were members of a “criminal terrorist organisation called the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) formed in Uganda in the 1980s with the purpose of committing genocide against the Hutu in Rwanda; usurping power by force in Rwanda; ravaging East Democratic Republic of Congo and establishing a Tutsi-Hima empire in the region”. This according to Rwanda New Times.
Rwandan officials and citizens moved to Twitter to show their excitement on the release of Gen. Karake.
Louise Mushikiwabo the Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, Rwanda said:
Delighted! Gen. KK coming home! This was an unnecessary and abusive process…
— Louise Mushikiwabo (@LMushikiwabo) August 10, 2015
President Paul Kagame tweeted:
Many thanks to the tireless legal team ,friends and the unbreakable Rwandan spirit….!!!
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) August 10, 2015
Nshimyimana Emmanuel, Outreach Education & Logistics Officer, Aegis Trust had the following to say:
The truth will always win. Happy 2see Gen #KarenziKarake coming back to #Rwanda . His contribution 2stop genocide will always be recognized
— Nshimyimana Emmanuel🇷🇼👍 (@NshimyimanaEmma) August 10, 2015
GATABAZI.JMV (MP), Member of Parliament /RPF,Politics&Gender Affairs Committee
Gen Karenzi Karake arrest was political machinery and tool to disturbing momentum of #Kagame "s Leadership. https://t.co/4RW7Sb7X12
— Gatabazi Jean Marie Vianney (@gatjmv) August 10, 2015
