Four suspects facing terrorism-related charges were yesterday denied bail on grounds that they could flee the country and interfere with ongoing investigations. The suspects, Kizito Mihigo, Cassien Ntamuhanga, Jean-Paul Dukuzumuremyi and Agnès Niyibizi, all appeared for the bail ruling at the Kacyiru primary court in Kigali. The four pleaded guilty to working with the FDLR and RNC in hatching plots to plant grenades and kill several officials within the government and security agencies. The FDLR is a terrorist group based in DR Congo comprising elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, while the Rwanda National Congress RNC), is an organisation of Rwandan fugitives with a base in South Africa. The two groups are alleged to be responsible for a spate of grenade attacks across the country that claimed lives in recent years. While submitting their plea bargain, the suspects argued that under no circumstance would they flee. However, prosecution argued that the four are part of a network of other suspects who are still at large and, if released, they would jeopardise the investigations. “There is enough proof that there were intentions by the suspects to commit a crime. They are accused of serious crimes and there is proof that if they are released they could flee justice.” Judge Jean Damascene Gasana ruled. “The suspects may tamper with evidence and may as well obstruct justice in pursuit for other suspects as the prosecution argued. It is on this ground that the court remands all the four suspects.” The suspects have been sent on remand for 30 days before their trial begins in substance. The schedule for the hearing is, however, subject to whether the accused appeal yesterday’s decision.
