The trial involving jailed politician Victoire Ingabire has today been adjourned until 12 March after her lawyers successfully requested court for more time to examine latest evidence from Holland presented by the prosecution.
One of her lawyers Gatera Gashabana said that he was given the file of evidences late and couldn’t get time to analyse them to facilitate him defend his client.
While her second defense lawyer Ian Edouard asked for more time so as to translate the evidences into French the language he understands better for him to be prepared too.
Also on the other hand Ingabire asked the panel of Judges to reconsider the testimonies of a witness against her since she also accuses the government for having been responsible for her husband’s death.
“I don’t understand and it is not convincing how this witness against me and she is the same witness who is accusing the government over her husband’s death,” Ingabire said.
Ingabire also asked the court to summon the witness Specioza Mujawayezu testifying against her and also the court to summon the Minister of Defence or Minister of Foreign affairs to explain circumstances surrounding the death of this witness’ husband.
However the court says they will summon the parties mentioned above, if the court finds it necessary.
The prosecution says it had come prepared to give explanations surrounding the new evidences from Holland that was presented to Rwanda last December.
The prosecution however admits that it is indeed the right of the lawyers to get more time to study and understand every detail in the file.
The court ordered Ingabire’s lawyers to notify the court upon completing the examination of the evidences by March 5th this year.
The issue of the evidence in question was first raised on September 5, when prosecution requested the court to adjourn the hearing, pending the transfer of the evidences from The Hague, Netherlands.
It had been sabotaged by a petition to deny the transfer of evidences incriminating her and while the husband, Lin Muyizere for the failed legal battle back in The Hague.
Prosecution alleged that the evidence includes several documents discovered during a search of Ingabire’s residence in Holland that contain proof of her subversive activities, telephone records that indicate her past communication with militia commanders, as well as testimonies of people in The Netherlands who worked alongside the accused.
Ingabire came in Rwanda January 16th 2010 to register her party FDU-Inkingi to be involved in the presidential elections but she was arrested and begun her legal battle October 10th 2010.
Ingabire and her four co-accused Major Vital Uwumuremyi, Col Tharcisse Nditurende, Lt. Col. Noel Habiyaremye and Jean Marie Vianney Karuta are accused of forming an armed group, terrorism, complicity to commit terrorism, and genocide ideology, among others.
ENDS
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