The High Court in Kigali yesterday began hearing the case of Jean Uwinkindi, a former Pentecostal priest, accused of participating in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Uwinkindi was a priest in Bugesera District before and during the Genocide.

He is charged with genocide and mass murder as crimes against humanity. 

But the suspect yesterday pleaded  not guilty.

"I did not commit any of those crimes,” said Uwinkindi after the presiding judge had read out the charges.

The court gave the prosecution, represented by John Bosco Mutangana and Bonaventure Ruberwa, four days to present the charges against the accused.

Ruberwa started the prosecution’s case by giving a historical account of the Genocide and how the past churches worked closely with former governments to prepare the Genocide.

Citing two history books authored by Rwandan historians, Antoine Mugesera and John Carlos, Ruberwa described the life of the Tutsi right from the colonial times to the second republic, recounting how the persecution of the Tutsi  increased as years went by culminating into the Genocide.

He said Rwandans had placed much trust in the clergy and that in the past pogroms that targeted the Tutsi, those who sought refuge at churches had been spared, which is why in 1994, many flocked churches, including the one headed by Uwinkindi.

"It was sad that this time around, clergymen, including Uwinkindi turned against the  flock and exterminated them,” Ruberwa said.

The prosecution said Uwinkindi participated in the killings of the Tutsi who had sought refuge at Kayenzi Pentecostal Church, Kanzenze commune, now Bugesera District where he had been a pastor for over a decade.

The State held that the former priest also helped the interahamwe militia to locate and kill those who had escaped the slaughter at the church and were hiding in the bushes.

Uwinkindi was transferred to Rwanda from the International Tribunal Court for Rwanda in April 2012, under the UN court’s completion strategy.

Uwinkindi, who appeared in court with his two lawyers, Jean Baptiste Niyibizi and Gatera Gashabana, requested to have time to talk to the defence witnesses who are currently abroad.

The court ruled that a decision pertaining to this would be taken at an opportune moment. Prosecution will continue presenting their case today.