Gacaca hands Sen. Safari life in prison

HUYE - Kimironko Gacaca Court sitting in Tumba sector in Huye district, this Suturday sentenced in absentia, Senator Safari Stanley to a life imprisonment for Genocide crimes he was accused of committing in the former Butare in the Southern Province during the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. After finding him guilty on all counts, including Genocide, Complicity in Genocide, inciting people to commit Genocide, being notoriously distinguished in the killing operations and participating at a road- block, the Gacaca court classified Senator Safari Stanley into the first category. Safari was particularly accused of complicity in the murder of Kayitesi Helena and seven other people that he kept in his house and who were later killed by of militias. Witnesses said that he gave Rwf 100,000 to the killers and when he appeared in court, Safari could not explain how the people who had been hiding in his house had died. According to different witnesses, including some former militia members who took part in the operations, Safari, Ceazar, the son of former president Theodore Sindikubwabo, and some presidential guards, were implicated in the operations which exterminated 60 Tutsi at the National University of Rwanda, 600 Tutsi at Gateme in Tumba Sector, and other massacres that took place at Rango in Butare Town. Senator Safari presented himself to the court at the beginning of his case on May 23 and 24 but since some witnesses were not informed, Safari for the case to be adjourned. People also accused Safari of shocking the survivors when he was asked about the murderer of many tutsis including those who were hidden in his house. “I am not Jesus to reveal all the deaths of people who died during Genocide” Safari replied. The case was moved to June 3, but when the time came, Safari had disappeared with his defence witnesses. Safari’s trial also included 12 other people, including some members of Gacaca. Four were sentenced to 30 years imprisonment, six given 19 years while two were acquitted. Safari was summoned last year by Tumba sector Gacaca court for offenses related to property but he was found innocent. This year victims’ families raised the case of genocide crimes, Safari suggested the case be transferred to another Gacaca seat. Kimironko Gacaca seat was appointed to intervene. The Senate This week debated the issue of their colleague who disappeared and is thought to have fled the country. They suggested that he be expelled because he has been absent for more than two weeks. Ends