Ex-Rwandan journalist battles sexual assault charges in Canada

A Rwandan based in Canada will in July appear before the Canadian Courthouse of Saint-Joseph-de-Beauce to face multiple charges related to sexual assault which he allegedly committed in the North American country, according to media reports. Ismail Mbonigaba, 44, a Rwandan who lives in Québec, is accused of seven accounts related to sexual assault, accusation prosecutors say were committed between 2012 and 2014. The accused faces charges related to sexual assault against three minors, as well as charges related to cyber-related fraud. When he allegedly committed the crimes, Mbonigaba was a volunteer for the organisation Alpha Bellechasse but the organisation has since severed all ties with him. Authorities from the organization took the charges seriously, suspending the suspect until the investigations are concluded. He is scheduled to return to court on July 5. Sexual assault is any involuntary sexual act in which a person is coerced or physically forced to engage in against their will, or any non-consensual sexual touching of a person. Sexual assault is a statutory offence in various jurisdictions, including the United States, Canada, England, Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. Mbonigaba, who was formerly an editor at the now defunct Rwanda Independent Media Group, which was the publisher of Umuseso newspaper, is among the founders of Rwanda Dream Initiative, an unregistered ‘political’ outfit led by Faustin Twagiramungu. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

News

Ex-Rwandan journalist battles sexual assault charges in Canada