MONTREAL - A Quebec City resident accused of inciting the Rwandan genocide says he now wants a war crimes trial in Canada.

Leon Mugesera, who has fought and delayed his deportation for 12 years, is asking Canadian officials to put him on trial.

Mugesera's possible deportation became more likely in the past week after Rwanda abolished the death penalty - a key stumbling block that has kept Canada from sending him home.

Mugesera issued a statement today asking Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to try him under Canada's new war crimes legislation.

The statement points out that groups like Amnesty International have criticized Rwanda for human rights violations.

Mugesera is accused of giving a speech in 1992 that encouraged his fellow Hutus to kill Rwandan Tutsis. Hundreds of thousands of Tutsis were killed two years later.