IGIHE

Category: Justice

  • Court rejects Rusesabagina’s abduction claim

    The ruling was read today on Wednesday 10th March 2021 in presence of the suspect who immediately appealed against the decision.

    Rusesabagina faces nine counts linked to terrorism, and he is co-accused with other 20 individuals who were allegedly involved in terror attacks that took place between 2018 and 2019 and claimed nine lives.

    He is accused along with Nsabimana Callixte ‘Sankara’, Nsengimana Herman and 18 other suspects facing terrorism charges.

    Appearing before the court in the previous hearing, Rusesabagina claimed that he was abducted and requested his release.

    Rusesabagina said that he spent four days with hands and legs tied up adding that he had no legal representation when he was summoned by the prosecution.

    He requested for release as awaiting trial in depth.

    Among others, Rusesabagina objected that Rwanda Investigation Bureau cooperated with Bishop Constantin Niyomwungere to bring him to Kigali illegally. The prosecution however explained that he was not kidnapped but rather tricked by his friend along the way from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates to Kigali.

    During the previous hearing, Bishop Niyomwungere Constantin gave testimonies narrating how he tricked Rusesabagina until they arrived in Rwanda where the suspect was arrested. Niyomwungere said he was shocked by killings committed by Rusesabagina’s armed group FLN which took lives of people in the surroundings of Nyungwe in Nyaruguru district and destroyed properties.

    After analyzing Rusesabagina’s request, the court considered that he was not kidnapped but tricked.

    The court also read that Rusesabagina was informed before interrogation on 31st August 2020 and decided to respond without defense lawyer.

    The court also considered the severity of accused crimes and said, it doesn’t Rusesabagina to be released.

    “The fact that Rusesabagina is detained waiting for trial in depth, doesn’t abuse his rights. The court ruled that the appeal against remand is unfounded,” read the court.

    Rusesabagina’s lawyer, Rudakemwa Félix immediately appealed against the ruling. “We want trial proceedings halted until things become clear,” he said.

  • Idamange remanded

    Idamange is accused of crimes including incitement public disorder, assaulting and causing injuries intentionally, denigrating Genocide evidences, and issuing bounced cheque.

    Appearing in court recently, the woman denied all charges.

    During the previous hearing, Idamange said that she was illegally detained and asked the court to analyze the case and order her release. Idamange claimed, she was never summoned before her arrest.

    The Prosecution rejected Idamange’s objections explaining that they had a warrant for her arrest which happened in presence of local leaders.

    The Prosecution said, Idamange was brought to court to face justice for alleged crimes committed through talks aired on a YouTube channel.

    She was accused of using the platform to incite public disorder and encouraging citizens to organize riots.

    Reading the ruling yesterday, the court explained that the decision was based on evidences provided during the previous hearing and legal provisions and Idamange’s video in which she is heard pronouncing words pinning her for suspected crimes.

    The judge said that extracts of the video shows Idamange calling upon all citizens to organize riots at Presidency Office to revendicate against the Government of Rwanda, asserting that President Paul Kagame died, that the country is led by a ghost.

    The court read that she is suspected of serious crimes which he would continue using social media platforms when released and remanded her for 30 days.

    Idamange, 42, was arrested on 15th February 2021 few days after featuring in series of talk shows aired on YouTube where she called on people to wage riots at Presidency Office.

    Idamange appeared in court for first time on 4th March 2021 for hearing on remand or release on bail.

    Idamange appearing before court during the previous hearing held virtually.

  • Idamange for first court hearing

    Idamange, 42, hailing from Kamonyi district has been for the past few weeks using social media platforms to trivialize the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She once said that remains of genocide victims laid at different memorials ‘have become a business’.

    The mother whose university studies were sponsored by the Fund for Support to Genocide Survivors (FARG) has been featuring in YouTube channel talk shows pronouncing words that are said to incite public disorder and trivialize the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

    Following these acts, Rwanda National Police (RNP) jointly with Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) arrested her on 15th February 2021 for investigation.

    On the same day of her arrest on 15th February, Idamange featured in a talk show following the previous one held on Sunday called ‘Amasengesho’ (Prayers).

    In the talk show, she was heard requesting Rwandans to organize riots at Presidency Office carrying their bibles.

    In process of her arrest, Idamange injured a police officer CSP Silas Karekezi hitting him with a bottle on the head.

    Among others, Idamange faces charges of serious crimes including inciting public disorder, resisting lawful arrest and aggravated assault against law enforcement officer, trivializing genocide and willingly causing physical harm.

    IdamIdamange Iryamugwiza Yvonne was arrested on 15th February 2021.

  • Suspected 17-year old girl defiler denied bail

    On 25th January 2021, Muhoza Primary Court remanded Maniriho for 30 days, a decision which he appealed against.

    Following the appeal, the court rejected the request yesterday citing many reasons pinning him.

    The court said that Maniriho admitted to have had sex twice with the child, impregnated her and gave her money to undergo abortion lest she abandons school.

    The court revealed that cited reasons are enough to pin him for suspected crimes.

    As Maniriho appeared in Musanze Intermediary Court on 3rd February 2021, he claimed to have admitted these crimes because he was threatened with a gun pointed to his head and inflicted body harm in detention.

    Musanze Intermediary Court insisted the decisions by Muhoza court are founded and upheld 30–day remand because he is suspected of cruel crimes and would tamper with investigations once released.

    It was also decided that his concerns will be analyzed as trial begins in depth.

    Maniriho was arrested on 9th November 2020. He is suspected of defilement, facilitating abortion and causing death of Iradukunda Emelance aged 17.

  • Court adjourns ruling in former Musanze vice mayor’s assault case

    During trial proceedings; Kamariza Olive, the victim, and wife of Ndabereye wrote a message on her Twitter account in January 2020 showing a picture of herself after Ndabereye violently beat her injuring a large part of her scalp.

    She also mentioned several instances where her husband abused her despite continuous mediation where both her husband’s family and hers tried to mend their relationship.

    On 27th February 2020, Musanze Intermediary Court handed him five-year sentence and fines worth Rwf 1 million. Ndabereye immediately filed an appeal to the High Court’s Detached Chamber of Musanze.

    He recently appeared in court on 5th January 2021 where he admitted charges against him but appealed for lessened penalties.

    The court has adjourned the ruling that was expected to be read yesterday so as to adhere to COVID-19 preventive measures.

    The ruling has been set for 3rd February 2021.

    Ndabereye Augustin was arrested on 30th August 2019. The crime of assault took place during the night of August 29 last year at the couple’s home in Musanze town.

    Ndabereye Augustin was arrested on 30th August 2019.

  • Paris Court of Appeal endorses decision to bring Bucyibaruta Laurent to book

    The resolution follows the investigation carried out in 2018 where judges confirmed that Bucyiruta has to be tried for genocide crimes perpetrated in Gikongoro Prefecture which he was leading.

    At the time, his defense lawyer, Ghislain Mabonga Monga told AFP that his client appealed against the decision. However, Paris Court of Appeal on Thursday retained the decision to try the suspect.

    Bucyibaruta Laurent was born in Musange in 1944. He was the leader of former Gikongoro Prefecture from 4th July 1992 until July 1994.

    He is accused of being among prime suspects who prepared and executed Tutsi killings in former Gikongoro Prefecture.

    In 1997, he fled to France where is has been living up to date. France has been accused of granting refuge to genocide perpetrators roaming freely without facing justice or delay court cases for some suspects.

    In 2000, organizations umbrella of genocide survivors and human rights activists submitted a request to bring Bucyibaruta to book for role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi which had not yet been done prior to the decision.

  • Pedophile who sodomized 17 children for mental examination

    The court has made the ruling today and requested the prosecution to investigate if the suspect has no sexually transmitted diseases.

    The court explained that outcomes from investigations will help to determine the severity of the punishment if the suspect is found guilty.

    If found guilty and if investigations show that the suspect has mental health problems, he will not be subject to any punishment but rather will be taken to health facilities for medical attention.

    Article 85 of the Law No 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offenses and punishments and stipulates that ‘a person is not liable to punishment if he/she had intellectual disabilities by the time he/she committed the crime’.

    Outcomes from investigations will be heard on 14th January 2020.

    Appearing in court at the previous hearing, the suspect confessed to have committed the crime and prosecution sought a life sentence for the 19-year-old man.

    Prosecution said that defiled children are in the age bracket of 7 and 14 from Nyamabuye cell, Gatsata sector of Gasabo district where the suspect lives.

    The suspect reportedly lured the boys with car toys he made.

    The case went to the public when a child claimed to have suffered from anus pain and told grandmother that a neighbor who defiled him didn’t provide a promised toy.

    Other victims revealed the truth that the case was reported to local leaders.

    The suspect is alleged to have defiled the 17 children between August and October this year.

    Children were taken to Isange One Stop Center at Kacyiru for medical attention.

  • 13 employees of Rutsiro district acquitted

    During the ruling held yesterday, the presiding judge Isabelle Riziki declared them innocent and ordered their release on grounds of failure to find evidence pinning them.

    The acquitted officials include Executive Secretaries of four sectors including Janvier Ntihinyuka of Murunda, Mpirwa Migabo of Nyabirasi, Alida Ikizihiza of Rusebeya and Sylvestre Bisangabagabo of Kivumu.

    Others include the Director of Administration and Finace in Rutsiro district, Alexis Basabose; Ngabo Fadhil Emmanuel, district engineer; Kamana Jean Marie, Division Manager for Corporate Services and Munyamahoro Cyato Justin, the Accountant.

    The court also acquitted land managers namely; Nshizirungu Emmanuel of Nyabirasi, Sekamana Théophile of Ruhango, Kagaba J. Baptiste of Mukura, Murari Richard of Murunda and Ndagijimana Aloys of Kivumu sector.

    Uwamukiza David, the contractor supplying equipment for the construction of VUP roads also connected to the case was acquitted.

    Upon arrest, the employees were suspended for six months asn investigations were underway on suspected connivance in misallocation of funds meant for the construction of VUP feeder roads.

    The mayor of Rutsiro district, Ayinkamiye Emerance said that the district will consider legal provisions for the acquitted employees.

    It was said that suspects had connived to pay out a contractor before and the equipment were never delivered.

  • Prosecution seeks life sentence for Rtd Major Mudathiru and co-accused terror suspects

    The suspects are segmented into two groups mainly the group comprising of 25 led by Rtd Major Mudathiru Habib (a former RDF soldier) facing charges including formation and being part of an irregular armed group or joining it, conspiracy against the established Government or the President of the Republic, maintaining relations with a foreign government with the intent to wage a war and formation of or joining a criminal group.

    They were captured last year in terrorism activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), as part of an intensified campaign by the Congolese military against militia groups operating in the country. The 25 suspects were extradited to on 18th June 2019. Another suspect connected to the case is Pte a Jean Bosco Ruhinda who escaped to DRC forests. He is tried in absentia because he has not yet been captured.

    Another group connected to the case includes Corporal Viateurv, Corporal Jean Bosco Dusabimana and Private Champagnat Igitego led by Pte Dieudonné Muhire.
    They are accused along with two civilians Pacifique Muhire and Richard Nzafashwanimana.

    The group is accused of escaping the military, conspiracy against the Government or intending to overthrowing it by means of war or other powers, formation of a criminal group and subsequently seducing new recruits, and taking part of terror group’s activities.

    The 31 co-accused were present in court except Private Ruhinda tried in absentia.
    Prosecutor Capt Jacques Rugamba has requested the Military High Court to accept the request of the prosecution based on provided evidences.

    He also requested the court to consider 10-year sentence separately for the crime of joining irregular armed group.

    “We seek ten-year sentence for 30 of 32 suspects excluding Major Rtd Habib Mudathiru and Pte Muhire Dieudonne. They particularly conspired with founders of the armed group because Mudathiru was involved in recruitment for P5 and training recruits how they would plot a war against the Government of Rwanda. We request 15-year sentence for him and Pte Muhire Dieudonne,” he said.

    On the accusation of maintaining relations with a foreign government with the intent to wage a war and formation of or joining a criminal group, the prosecution sought 25-year sentence for suspects in the group led by Mudathiru.

    On the accusation of forming a criminal group, the prosecution requested 10-year sentence for all the 32 suspects.

    The prosecution also sought 20-year sentence for all the 32 suspects over terror activities.

    On the charge of conspiracy against the established Government, the prosecution requested life sentence for each of the 32 suspects.

    Pte Champagnat Igitego also faces genocide ideology charge for which the prosecution demanded 7-year sentence and Rwf 1 million fines.

    On the accusation of escaping the military, the prosecution requested 2-year sentence for Pte Muhire Dieudonne and Pte Ruhinda.

    “Finally, we request the Military High court to consider the article 61 and 62 of the penal code determining crimes and punishments, and approve the presence of a coordinated terror activities. Thus, the court should hand the heaviest punishment to all the 32 suspects, life sentence to everyone,” stated the prosecutor.

    The prosecutor, however, told the court to consider that Muhire Pacifique facilitated processes by admitting and apologizing for all crimes which should be taken into account while making the judgment.

    The prosecutor explained that heavier punishments determined by laws would leave a lesson to those seeking to join terror groups intending to destabilize Rwanda’s security.

    Following the request for life sentence, suspects requested the court to alleviate their punishments and apologized to the Government and Rwandans.

    The hearing is expected to be concluded on tomorrow when the court will announce dates for reading the ruling.

  • BBC freelancer Ndayizera had plans to set Kigali city on fire, RIB discloses

    This was unveiled yesterday during an interactive session of police with the media where RIB was asked why it doesn’t immediately inform relatives of arrested suspects.

    Ndayizera was paraded to the media in November last year at the headquarters on RIB in Kimihurura after his family had reported him missing.

    RIB Secretary General Jeannot Ruhunga explained that the institution normally alerts relatives immediately when a suspect is arrested but it couldn’t be possible with the case of Ndayizera.

    “Ndayizera had a plan to burn Kigali city which he admitted. What do you think was more urgent between the rights of Kigali residents and knowing where Ndayizeye is detained? And he had accomplices who were to detonate the bombs,” he explained.

    “Ndayizera had 10 accomplices at the time of his arrest. If his arrest was disclosed immediately it could not lead to the arrest of those accomplices,” added Ruhunga.

    As Ndayizera was paraded before the media, RIB displayed dynamite he was caught with in Nyamirambo which the suspect intended to use to antagonize security.

    Terrorism is punished under article 19 of the antiterrorism law. It stipulates that any person who attempts, takes part or supports terrorism acts commits a crime and upon conviction, he shall be liable to a penalty of not less than 15 years of imprisonment but not more than 20 years.