The High Court in Kigali on January 6 resumed the trial involving nine individuals including Theoneste Nsengimana, the creator of YouTube channel Umubavu TV. They face charges of forming or joining a criminal association and conspiring to commit offenses against the government or the president.
The session began with objections raised by the defendants’ legal teams. Previously, the trial was postponed to allow the defense access to new audio evidence presented in the last hearing. However, defense lawyer Gatera Gashabana stated that the legal team was denied access to Nyarugenge Correctional facility with their laptops, hindering their ability to consult with their clients. This concern was echoed by Nsengimana’s lawyers.
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The presiding judge allowed a brief recess for the legal teams to confer with their clients. Some defendants expressed readiness to proceed upon resumption, while others requested more time.
To accelerate the trial, which is set to conclude on January 10, the judge ruled that the hearing would proceed with those prepared to defend themselves.
The court heard the pleas of two defendants, including Claudine Uwimana, the sole female accused, and they denied all charges.
The prosecution alleged that Uwimana participated in training sessions organized by members of the DALFA-Umurizi party, purportedly aimed at learning how to overthrow the government.
Uwimana, a teacher by profession, faces charges of forming or joining a criminal association and conspiring to commit offenses against the government or the president. She pleaded not guilty.
Uwimana stated that before her arrest she had secured a teaching job after a prolonged period of unemployment. Seeking to enhance her skills, she accepted an invitation from her former classmate and childhood neighbour, Alphonse Mutabazi, to attend online English training sessions. According to Uwimana, Mutabazi introduced her to Sylvere Sibomana, who provided her with the book, Blueprint for Revolution, by Serbian author Srdja Popovic. The book outlines strategies for resisting authoritarianism.
"He (Mutabazi) told me he would connect me with the team leader, and soon after, the training began,” Uwimana explained.
However, she claimed that technical difficulties with her phone prevented her from fully participating in the sessions.
Uwimana emphasized that she only knew Mutabazi and had no prior acquaintance with other participants, who allegedly used false names. She argued that this lack of familiarity undermined the prosecution’s claims of her involvement in a criminal conspiracy.
Regarding a photograph she shared with Sibomana inscribed with the phrase "Umunyarwanda ni yubahwe” loosely translated as "May the Rwandan be respected” in observance of ‘Victoire Ingabire Day’ on October 14, Uwimana dismissed its significance.
She stated, "I had heard about the day and shared the message without any intent to support unlawful activities.”
Her lawyer, Gatera Gashabana, argued that the prosecution’s evidence was insufficient. "Studying books on revolutions, such as Fidel Castro’s in Cuba or Napoleon Bonaparte’s, does not equate to participating in a plot to overthrow a government,” he said.
Gashabana questioned inconsistencies in a key witness’s testimony, urging the court to examine its reliability.
The prosecution has requested a life sentence for Uwimana, but Gashabana opposed it saying that the charges were baseless.
He highlighted discrepancies in the accusations, which evolved from causing public unrest to being part of a criminal group, and finally to conspiracy.
Alphonse Mutabazi denies involvement
Mutabazi, who introduced Uwimana to the training sessions, pleaded not guilty.
He claimed he lacked a smartphone and therefore could not have participated in the sessions. Mutabazi admitted to informing Uwimana about the training but denied any involvement in organizing or attending it.
Regarding Victoire Ingabire Day, Mutabazi stated that he neither shared messages nor pictures, reiterating that his lack of a smartphone made such actions impossible. He argued that observing the day was not a crime, as it continues to be marked with various themes annually.
The prosecution alleged that the accused used an English learning group for covert activities. Some members reportedly collaborated with individuals abroad to strategize and plan operations aimed at achieving their objectives.
The trial will continue on January 7, with the court set to hear the remaining defendants. So far, only two of the nine accused have defended themselves.