U.S. hails Rwandan genocide convictions

WASHINGTON, May 10 (UPI) -- Washington welcomed the convictions of three individuals accused of genocide in Rwanda but lamented several fugitives were still at large.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda affirmed a 30-year prison term for Gaspard Kanyarukiga, 35-year prison term for Aloys Ntabakuze and a life term for Ildephonse Hategekimana.

The tribunal reduced the life sentence for Ntabakuze to 35 years. He was found guilty of genocide, extermination and crimes against humanity in 2008, but the court later reversed some of the charges.

Ntabakuze and Hategekimana both served as high-ranking members in the Rwandan army at the time of the genocide that occurred during a 100-day period in 1994. Kanyarukiga was a businessman convicted by the ICTR for his role in the destruction of a church that led to the deaths of roughly 2,000 civilians inside seeking refuge.

Victoria Nuland, a spokeswoman for the U.S. State Department, said Washington welcomed the verdicts and believed Ntabakuze's reversal indicated the tribunal followed a balanced judicial process.

"There are still nine ICTR fugitives at-large and the United States urges all countries to redouble their cooperation with the ICTR so that these fugitives can be expeditiously brought to justice," Nuland said in a statement.

Three former Rwandan leaders were sentenced in 2011 for their role in the genocide.

Conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic communities left roughly 800,000 people dead in a 100-day massacre.