The ruling on release on bail or remand has been read today around 3pm in absentia of the suspect while the prosecution was represented in the court room.
The judge started reading 16 crimes of which Sankara pleaded guilty during the previous hearing.
The court said the fact that Sankara pleaded guilty to all charges, his detention with forged travel documents including national identification and passports used to seek support of Rwanda’s security threats architects, co-signing different statements inciting foreign countries hatred against Rwanda with Paul Rusesabagina and statements that the battle shall continue even after his death are among major evidences pinning him on the offenses.
The court said releasing him raises worries that he might escape justice given that he has no identity.
Among others, the court said Sankara might tamper with evidence or threaten residents affected by attacks his rebel group FLN carried in Nyaruguru district or return to forests to resume his activities.
Sankara is slapped with 16 counts namely; forming a rebel group, terrorism, murder, kidnap, genocide denial, arson, armed robbery, using forged documents, causing bodily harm intentionally, inciting hatred against the Government of Rwanda, developing foreign relations to launch a war among others.
Prosecution also alleged that FLN he was representing as spokesperson carried attacks in Southern Province killing nine and injuring 19 people.
The suspect pleaded guilty to all the charges and regretted his involvement in the group that killed civilians.
During the previous hearing, prosecution asked that the accused be remanded for one month considering a number of reasons including the fact that he would tamper with evidence though Sankara claimed he would not tamper with investigations if released.
Leave a Reply