Mutabazi lawyer quits, tells court suspect’s behaviour unpredictable

A case involving Lt Joel Mutabazi, who is accused of terrorism alongside 15 others, took a dramatic twist yesterday when a defence lawyer decided to quit after falling out with his client. Mutabazi and his co-accused are appearing before the Military High Court in Kanombe, Kigali to answer terrorism-related charges. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges at the beginning of the trial on Tuesday, a move that contradicted his previous account, frustrating his lawyer in the process. Mutabazi is charged with deserting the military, terrorism, formation of an armed group, spreading rumours with intent to incite the public to rise up against the state, murder, crimes against the state, illegal possession of a firearm and attempt to harm the person of the President. “Mutabazi keeps shifting goal posts. Initially, we agreed that he would plead not guilty to all the charges and we discussed the details of the case, but when he appeared in court, he surprised me by pleading guilty, then again pleading not guilty,” Antoinette Mukamusoni, told court. “He has also decided to maintain silence, so I have no business in this trial and I request to leave,” Mukamusoni said. Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Diane Gasengayire (a co-accused and Mutabazi’s sister-in-law), revealed how she lied about Mutabazi’s desertion from the military. Gasengayire is accused of illegal possession of firearms. Prosecution alleges that she gave Mutabazi two pistols that he used to stage a shooting at his house in Kampala and then blamed the Rwandan government. Gasengayire told court that she was asked by her sister Gloria (Mutabazi’s wife) to get two bullets which she never did and that someone else provided them. When the judges asked Mutabazi to react to the accusation, he just said: “I do not trust this woman, she betrayed me and made me get arrested.” The statement prompted Gasengayire to break down in tears. She revealed how she lied to the authorities regarding Mutabazi’s desertion. “When you deserted, J2 called me asking me about your whereabouts and I lied that you had gone to Uganda to preach the gospel. When you left Rwanda, I took care of your property and when your wife gave birth, I travelled to Uganda several times to take care of her and then you stand here and accuse me of betrayal?” Gasengayire asked amid sobs. Eugene Mutamba, another co-accused, who happens to be Mutabazi’s uncle, also confessed before court how he hid a pistol belonging to Mutabazi which he buried at his home in Rwamagana for two years. The court is today expected to visit Mutamba’s home in Rwamagana, the scene where the pistol was hidden to reenact the events to determine whether Mutamba dug up the pistol and how it was given to Mutabazi’s brother.

National

Mutabazi lawyer quits, tells court suspect’s behaviour unpredictable