The Paris Court on Thursday rejected the request of the defence of Pascal Simbikangwa , the first Rwandan to be tried in France in connection with the 1994 genocide against ethnic Tutsi’s in Rwanda.
The prosecution announced its intention to ask the court to answer a question about the guilt of the accused of the crime of genocide, not just of “complicity in genocide”.
The defence had argued Wednesday that moving the court in Rwanda, saying it would remove some of the “discrepancies between the testimonies.” Otherwise, she had asked a supplementary information on some points, which amounted to a transfer of the case to a judge.
President Olivier Leurent announced the rejection of both applications, saying “multiple sketches, photos, plans (…) so as to inform the court.” He also held that the fact that many places have been changed in the two decades since the facts “render illusory the provision of on-site inspection” also legally impossible abroad.
For its part, the Advocate General Bruno Sturlese asked the court for a “redefinition ” of the prosecution , saying that ” the discussions showed that Mr. Simbikangwa was not guilty of complicity in genocide but of genocide ” . ” He who does not commit an accomplice but a writer,” he has said.
Technically, this reclassification would form a subsidiary question to the jury and imply that it meets first “no” to questions about the complicity put to him under the terms of the order of indictment.
The list of questions submitted to the jury should be finalized by Friday, President Leurent who said he ” would think ” about this request.
“I collapsed , I’m surprised , I’m shot ,” said the accused. “After the good I have done,” he continued with reference to at least two families he saved Tutsi genocide, and whose members have testified in court.
Whether for genocide or complicity, the accused faces life imprisonment.
jeune Afrique
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