KAMONYI - Isidore Mahoro, a self acclaimed HIV/Aids herbalist, was on February 21 sentenced to 30 years for Genocide crimes committed in the then commune Musambira in Kamonyi district.

The decision was made by the Kinyinya Gacaca appeal court after finding the accused guilty of participating in various attacks and chairing meetings to plan and execute the Genocide.

Witnesses told court that the accused had changed his names from Epaphrodite Nzeyimana to Isidore Mahoro to conceal his previous identity and involvement in the Genocide.

"The accused was the president of CDR extremist party in Musambira and he convened various meeting that planned genocide activities. It was not easy to track him down in the past years until we read about him in the news papers” one witness, Hassan Shyaka said.

Mahoro pleaded guilty to the charges but denied involvement in the killing one Prosper Rugwizangoga among others.

Mahoro came to limelight a few years ago after he proclaimed himself a healer of the HIV/Aids scourge, a proclamation that led to hundreds of people to his home area for treatment.

The court also sentenced six residents to 19 years on charges of jointly participating in similar attacks in Musambira. Two residents were also sentenced to three months for giving false testimonies. 

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