Karasira who once served as a lecturer at the University of Rwanda, made the objections as he appeared before Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on Friday 7th October 2022.
The Prosecution alleged that Karasira aired talk shows on YouTube denying the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The talk shows were aired on his own YouTube channel ‘Ukuri Mbona’ and Umurabyo TV owned by Agnès Uwimana Nkusi.
The Prosecution maintained that Karasira committed the crime of Genocide denial through pronounced statements that it was not prepared, justifying that RPA Inkotanyi’s mission was not to stop Genocide against the Tutsi.
Among others, the Prosecution alleged that Karasira defended the existence of double statements; one from the National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide (CNLG) and IBUKA, umbrella organization of Genocide survivors indicating that the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi was prepared since 1959 and another side of the international court that no one was convicted of preparations of Genocide.
The Prosecution also accused him of having featured in a talk show on 21st May 2021 where he declared that Kabuga was hunted because he refused to pay contributions to RPF instead of distributing machetes.
It was also alleged that Karasira defended the shooting of Habyarima’s plane as the trigger of the Genocide, highlighting that victims were killed because their children or relatives had joined an army formed by a subversive group.
The statement was made through a talk show aired on Umurabyo TV and Ukuri Mbona.
Karasira was also accused of inciting ethnic divisionism through talk shows aired on the two aforementioned YouTube channels and Pax TV.
The Prosecution alleged that the YouTuber knows himself that he disseminated false information using electronic means.
The false information includes statements that Rujugiro was not rewarded for supporting the government, that top military leaders came from Uganda among others.
After presenting evidences; the defence lawyer of Karasira, Gatera Gashabana requested floor for his client to make clarifications on health issues that would help the court understand deeply the origin of allegations against him.
Karasira who was seated on a bench due to health problems, said that he was not ready to stand trial noting that he should have been consulted before providing room for evidences.
The court reminded Karasira that the trial was also adjourned to allow enough time for preparations and requested him to specify the time he needs.
The accused said that he suffered from diabetes where his health conditions do not allow him to prepare for trial.
Karasira complained that he is always notified of his trial one day before yet he should be informed two weeks before.
He requested medical care before standing trial.
On the Prosecution’s concerns that he pushes the trial for no reasons, Karasira said that he is willing to be tried but in sound health.
“I am always brought before court forcibly, against my will,” he said.
Karasira said that he also has trauma that he has not yet received treatment for mental illness since he was arrested.
He has been detained since 30th June 2021.
Karasira explained that he suffers from serious consequences of the Genocide with recurrent trauma during trial preparations.
He requested to get medical attention at Médecins Sans Frontières, noting that doctors who attended to him previously did not consider the root cause of his conditions.
Karasira revealed that they did not provide treatment for effects related to alcoholic drinks or bad dreams.
The YouTuber explained that all his conditions are related to effects of the Genocide where he needs therapy treatment.
The accused and his defence lawyer asked the court to adjourn the trial and be given enough time for preparations that would also serve as an opportunity for Karasira to meet with doctors.
The court postponed the trial to 18th November 2022 maintaining that further excuses won’t be accepted.
