Terror suspects: Bail ruling for Monday

Three men and a woman who are facing terrorism related charges will know on Monday whether their bail application will be granted or denied. The four suspects; Kizito Mihigo, Cassien Ntamuhanga, Jean-Paul Dukuzumuremyi and Agnès Niyibizi appeared before the Kacyiru Primary Court yesterday. The suspects face multiple charges including offences against the established government or the President of the Republic, conspiracy against the established government or the President of the Republic, and complicity in a terrorist act.” During the initial court appearance on Tuesday, Mihigo, who was also charged with conspiring to murder and to commit treason, pleaded guilty to all the charges, while the other three pleaded guilty to some charges and not guilty to others. The suspects requested court to revise their charges arguing that while they admit to working with terrorist organisations, they were not aware that the end goal was to commit terror attacks. Prosecution presented to court evidence linking the suspects to the FDLR, a terrorist group based in DR Congo, and the Rwanda National Congress, an organisation of Rwandan fugitives with a base in South Africa. Both groups have vowed to topple the government by violent means and are accused of being behind a spate of grenade attacks in the country. ‘Not executed crime’ The suspects urged the court to put into consideration that they were yet to execute the alleged terror acts. Part of the evidence presented in court was communication about a planned grenade attack involving Callixte Nsabimana, better known by the alias Sankara, who is currently in South Africa, and Ntamuhanga, Dukuzumuremyi and Niyibizi. It is alleged that on the request of Nsabimana, Ntamuhanga gave Dukuzumuremyi Rwf200,000 advance payment of a total of Rwf3 million to plant grenades in various places, including at Kigali City Tower building and Nyabarongo bridge. The money was handed to him by Niyibizi. Prosecution also presented evidence showing communication between Mihigo and Nsabimana in March and April this year, where they discussed plans to overthrow the President, and to assassinate some government figures. Mihigo appeared with two lawyers, Felix Segabiro and John Bigarama, while his co-accused had no advocates. Prosecution requested the court to remand the suspects for 30 days to enable investigations to continue. Proceeding are scheduled to continue on Monday.