RUSIZI - Three people have been detained at Kamembe Police Post, in Rusizi District, over allegations that they attempted to bribe a Gacaca judge.

Alexis Sebarwanya, 73, Joseph Karimunda, 59, and Julienne Umutesi, 25, were arrested on Saturday in Gihundwe cell.

The police allege that the trio was caught red-handed while attempting to give a  Rwf100, 000 bribe to Emmanuel Hagenimana, the president of Nkanka Gacaca Court of Appeal.     

The suspects wanted Hagenimana to exonerate their two relatives who are facing Genocide charges, police confirmed yesterday. 

Police worked on a tip off by Hagenimana, who claimed that the trio had requested him to  make a ruling in favour of  their relatives. Police sources further say that, the judge was promised over a one million francs.  

However, speaking from the police station, the suspects denied the charges, saying they had only sought advice from the judge, on their relatives’ trials.  

"The Rwf100, 000 that we were arrested with that police claims is an exhibit was not meant for bribe at all. We had visited Hagenimana to find out how far he had gone with the trial of our two relatives Uwigambiye and Sebakungu,” said Karimunda.  

After being formally charged they would be transferred to Rusizi Central Prison. They face 5 years imprisonment if convicted, according to police.

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