A military tribunal on Monday, December 9, sentenced Sergeant Gervais Minani to life imprisonment for the murder of five civilians in Nyamasheke District.
The tribunal found Minani, 39, guilty of premeditated murder, unlawful use of a firearm, and destruction of military property, which happened on November 13.
The ruling included stripping him of his ranks.
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The trial was held in public at the crime scene in Karambi Sector on Tuesday, December 3.
During the hearing, Minani admitted to committing the crimes and asked for forgiveness.
According to the military prosecutor, Minani intentionally shot and killed five civilians in a bar located in Rushyarara Cell. He was immediately arrested by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).
The prosecution had previously sought life imprisonment for the murder charge, five years for theft and damage to military equipment, and an additional year for unlawful use of a firearm.
The tragic incident was reportedly caused by an argument between Minani and the bar owner over an unpaid bill. During his 10-day leave from military duty, Minani went to the bar, where he fired 60 rounds from an SMG-3945 firearm following the dispute.
The victims were identified as 17-year-old Denis Benemugabo, 20-year-old Onesphore Habumugisha, 44-year-old Zephanie Sindayiheba, 35-year-old Jonas Muhawenimana, and 51-year-old Ezra Nsekambabaye.
The court ruled that the killings were premeditated, as Minani had left the bar to retrieve a weapon, which demonstrated an intent to commit an act of revenge. Additionally, it was established that Minani violated military regulations by using a weapon without authorization from his superiors and by stealing military equipment.
Despite the defence’s plea for leniency, the court found the extreme cruelty of the crime, which resulted in the deaths of the five people and upheld the prosecution’s request to hand him a life sentence.
In the hearing, Minani’s lawyer, Jean Claude Murigande, withdrew from the case after the court dismissed claims of his client’s alleged mental illness. This argument was rejected based on a medical report confirming that Minani was mentally fit.