MUHANGA - The Gahogo Gacaca Appeal Court on Wednesday handed a life sentence, without parole, to Pastor Pedaie Ntihanabayo after finding him guilty of genocide charges, weeks after the man of God together with six others had been freed on the same charges by a lower court.

The court presided over by its president; Idesbald Ruzigana, ruled, that Ntihanabayo betrayed one of his flock and housemate, Eleazar Mpumpuje, and concealed information regarding his death.

Court also handed Esdras Ruzindana and Théogene Musabyimana 19 years in jail, for conspiracy and intentionally covering up the death of the said victim.
Seven other suspects were freed on grounds of lack of evidence for their role in the murder.

During the trial, witnesses testified that the victim (Mpumpuje) was picked up from the church premises in the presence of some Christians, and taken to a nearby roadblock by Interahamwe militias.

The victim’s remains were recently exhumed five metres from the church premises.

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