The sequence of grenade attacks that rocked Kigali last year have been linked to the terror group, Coalition des Forces Democratique (CFD).

The revelations were made yesterday during the ongoing trial of Victoire Ingabire, the head of the yet-to-be-registered political group, FDU-Inkingi.

Prosecution alleges that CFD was the armed wing of FDU-Inkingi

Ingabire faces six counts; forming an armed group with the aim of destabilising the country, complicity to acts of terrorism, conspiracy against the government by use of war and terrorism, inciting the masses to revolt against the government, genocide ideology and divisionism.

Presenting evidence, yesterday, prosecuting attorney, Bonaventure Ruberwa, read out an e-mail which was sent to Major Vital Uwumuremyi by the operations commander of the group under a pseudo-name of Jackie Chan, informing him that they had been able to sneak 20 grenades into the country.

The e-mail also explained that the group had successfully carried out the attacks at Nyabugogo, Kimironko and other places in Kigali.

In the said email, Jackie Chan also requested Uwumuremyi to inform Ingabire that they needed more assistance to carry on with their ‘work’.

This evidence follows a series of other e-mails also presented as evidence, statements made by the accused and Western Union money transfer forms, which allegedly pin Ingabire to the group.

In March this year, 29 men suspected of recruiting and belonging to a terrorist group, planning and executing activities aimed at causing state insecurity and mass murder, were arrested and are currently on remand.

Prosecution revealed that the network of the people behind the grenade attacks was based in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

This was also CFD’s base before the arrest of its top leaders.

Though Ingabire’s four co-accused have pleaded guilty and testified to having worked with her in the creating of the group, she continues to deny its existence. 

Victoire Ingabire’s defence team is led by British barrister, John Edwards.

Edwards is also co-counsel for Jean Uwinkindi, a detainee at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania.

The trial continues today.

Ends