Two FDLR terror suspects convicted, get life sentence

Musanze High Court on Thursday sentenced two people to life imprisonment after they were convicted for working with a militia group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), to launch terror attacks on the Rwandan territory. These were among a group of sixteen suspects whose trial started last year after they were arrested from different places following investigations into their activities with the FDLR, which is based in DRC. Of the sixteen, Jean Damascene Rugenera and Eric Harerimana alias Kibamba were sentenced for life in jail after they were found to be key masterminds. The presiding judge, Sephonie Munyawera, ruled that Rugenera recruited members to join FDLR and mobilize them to carry out terror acts in Musanze and other parts of the country. For Harerimana, the judge found him guilty of working with FDLR, treason, smuggling of fire arms from DRC through Kinigi Sector in Musanze. Harerimana was also separately convicted of a murder he committed 2012. Meanwhile, the judge convicted and sentenced twelve others to varying prison sentences, while two were absolved of any criminal responsibility and were subsequently acquitted. The court said that the convicted people illegally owned firearms while others were undergoing training in using the arms with an aim of undertaking criminal activities with the FDLR. Among the suspects, three were sentenced to 20 years and these are; Patrice Ntibanyemera, Intime Uwihanganye and Jean Pierre Hanyuzimfura. Nine other suspects were handled sentences ranging from fifteen to five years. The accused were sentenced months after the same court sentenced life in jail to eight terror suspects linked to FDLR, a terror group that is led by masterminds of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

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Two FDLR terror suspects convicted, get life sentence