The trial of the Commandant  of the Marine, Colonel Firmin Bayingana, yesterday took another twist with the Military Court prolonging his stay in custody where he has spent more than four months.

Bayingana who is charged of influence peddling saw his chances of provisional release lessen after the court ruled that his trial in substance will continue.

The trial had been concluded a couple of weeks ago.
Bayingana was arrested and detained early April this year on charges of peddling influence in securing a provisional release of a Gisenyi- based businessman named Leon Ngandu Munyaburanga.

In a statement that hardly lasted a minute, court President Brigadier General Karyango clearly indicated that the trial of this case was probably far from being completed.

"After thorough consultations, the court has decided that there is need for some more evidence,” Karyango read from the short statement while Col. Bayingana, his defence lawyer Charles Shema and members of the audience carefully and calmly listened.

"So the trial is per now suspended, and the day of resuming it will be communicated to both sides,” he concluded without any further explanations, before passing the written statement over to both the accused and Military Prosecution to sign on it.

Since the beginning of trial, the case slowly became very complex with the defence accusing Military Prosecution of failing to provide enough and convincing arguments and evidence of Bayingana’s involvement in the release of Munyaburanga late in 2005.

The last session that happened on July 18 had compelled the court to bring back three key witnesses in the case, who denied having been subject to any sort of influence while releasing Munyaburanga.

Col. Bayingana has consistently refuted accusations against him, and pleaded with the court to take the right decision while passing the ruling.

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