Bandora loses bail plea

Nyarugenge Intermediate Court, on Tuesday, rejected Charles Bandora’s request for bail on grounds that he may flee the country. 

Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Bandora (left), flanked by his lawyers, during his bail hearing on Tuesday. The New Times/ File.

Nyarugenge Intermediate Court, on Tuesday, rejected Charles Bandora’s request for bail on grounds that he may flee the country. 

Bandora, the first Genocide suspect to be extradited to Rwanda, was flown in on March 10 from Norway. 

He appeared before the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court on Monday requesting bail, but prosecution told the court that the gravity of his crimes makes bail a risky gamble.

In his decision, Judge John Byakatonda ruled that Bandora is accused of serious crimes and if he is let out in public, his security could be at risk and that there is no guarantee that he would not flee justice since he did not come to Rwanda on his own will. 

Prosecutor Ndibwami Rugambwa told the court that during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Bandora, who led the MRND party in Bugesera, "gave his own vehicles to the Interahamwe militia to go and kill Tutsis.” 

"The militia took everything that they looted to his home,” Rugambwa said. 

The case will resume in substance before the Special Chamber of the High Court next month.