This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8077441.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Finland charges Rwandan suspect Finland charges Rwandan suspect
(about 2 hours later)
Finland has charged a former preacher at a Baptist church in Rwanda with genocide for his alleged role in the killings in the African nation in 1994.Finland has charged a former preacher at a Baptist church in Rwanda with genocide for his alleged role in the killings in the African nation in 1994.
Francois Bazaramba has been held in detention in Finland for more than two years after seeking asylum in 2003.Francois Bazaramba has been held in detention in Finland for more than two years after seeking asylum in 2003.
Prosecutors said they had enough evidence to try Mr Bazaramba, rather than extradite him to Rwanda where they fear he may not get a fair hearing.Prosecutors said they had enough evidence to try Mr Bazaramba, rather than extradite him to Rwanda where they fear he may not get a fair hearing.
If found guilty, the 58-year-old faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.If found guilty, the 58-year-old faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Mr Bazaramba's lawyer has said he will plead not guilty to the charges. Mr Bazaramba's lawyer said his client would plead not guilty to the charges and insisted he had not been in a position where he could have led any killings.
"He is not guilty, and we have evidence that some of the witnesses heard in Rwanda were tortured," Ville Hoikkala told reporters.
In the Rwandan genocide, about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu militias after the assassination of the Hutu president.In the Rwandan genocide, about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu militias after the assassination of the Hutu president.
On Monday, Finland's prosecutor-general said a pre-trial investigation had found evidence that Mr Bazaramba, a Hutu, had "committed a crime of genocide in the municipality of Nyakizu in April and May 1994 with intent to destroy the Rwandan Tutsis partly or totally".On Monday, Finland's prosecutor-general said a pre-trial investigation had found evidence that Mr Bazaramba, a Hutu, had "committed a crime of genocide in the municipality of Nyakizu in April and May 1994 with intent to destroy the Rwandan Tutsis partly or totally".
Mr Bazaramba was also charged with 15 counts of murder, he said.Mr Bazaramba was also charged with 15 counts of murder, he said.
Rwandan authorities accuse him of having participated in planning, leading and carrying out the massacre of 5,000 Tutsis while the head of the Union of Baptist Churches of Rwanda (UEBR) in Nyakizu.Rwandan authorities accuse him of having participated in planning, leading and carrying out the massacre of 5,000 Tutsis while the head of the Union of Baptist Churches of Rwanda (UEBR) in Nyakizu.
Finnish law allows prosecutions for crimes against humanity wherever they are committed.Finnish law allows prosecutions for crimes against humanity wherever they are committed.