Languages —

Thursday, March 28, 2024

More

    S.A.: A defendant in the Rwandan massacre reappearing in court suggests more charges

    Share This Post

    One of the most sought suspects in Rwanda’s genocide, the former police officer is suspected of planning the massacre of almost 2,000 people over three decades ago.

    The court was dismissed following Kayishema’s attendance and put off until June 9.

    Local media outlets Mail & Guardian and The Citizen stated that Kayishema was charged with at least 14 offences and that further charges will be brought, citing Eric Ntabazalila, the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

    During the pause, the state is said to be reviewing documents in order to present a more thorough charge sheet.

    Nathan Adriaanse, a state prosecutor, stated that the accusations that are now being discussed are local ones.

    One of the most sought suspects in Rwanda’s genocide, the former police officer is suspected of planning the massacre of almost 2,000 people over three decades ago.

    The court was dismissed following Kayishema’s attendance and put off until June 9.

    Local media outlets Mail & Guardian and The Citizen stated that Kayishema was charged with at least 14 offences and that further charges will be brought, citing Eric Ntabazalila, the spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

    During the pause, the state is said to be reviewing documents in order to present a more thorough charge sheet.

    Nathan Adriaanse, a state prosecutor, stated that the accusations that are now being discussed are local ones.

    On Friday, June 2, Kayishema’s attorney Juan Smuts stated, “At this time, my client is calm, collected, and composed.” Smuts also stated that Kayishema was “waiting for the extradition documentation evidencing which country they seek to extradite him to.”

    The defendant, who was dressed in a blue jacket, black pants and eyeglasses, denied involvement in the slaughter when questioned by a local journalist outside the courtroom on May 26.

    Over the course of 100 days, Hutu extremists massacred almost 800,000 Rwandans, the majority of whom were Tutsi.

    The former fugitive was charged with genocide, involvement in genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity for deaths and other crimes allegedly committed during the Rwandan genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

    Share This Post