Ingabire case adjourned to June

KIGALI - The case involving Opposition leader Victoire Ingabire was yesterday postponed to next month. Ingabire is the embattled leader of the yet–to–be registered party FDU – Inkingi, who is facing charges related to promoting ethnic divisionism and threatening state security. She is alleged to have provided financial support to a terrorist group and, planning to create insecurity. The adjournment of the case was based on Ingabire’s request for more time to read her file. “I did not get enough time to study my file,” said Ingabire, who appeared at the High Court without her lawyers. Ingabire also said that she needed enough time because some members in her defence team are foreigners, yet the file was prepared in Kinyarwanda. “I request that the trial be pushed to September 12, to be given time to prepare myself,” she said. The prosecution team lead by Ildephonse Hitiyaremye, the Deputy Prosecutor General also requested that the hearing be merged with those of her co-accused since they are connected. Ingabire’s co-accused are; former FDLR commanders Col. Tharcisse Nditurende, Lt. Colonel Noeli Habiyaremye, Lt. Jean Marie Vianney Karuta and Major Vital Uwumuremyi. They are accused of collaborating with Ingabire to form a military wing known as Coalition of Defence Forces (CDF) with an aim of launching subversive activities aimed at destabilising Rwanda. The co-accused and their lawyers however objected to the September hearing Ingabire proposed, pointing out that they would be deprived of their right to justice. “The period she is asking is too long. It is delaying justice to my client because for us we are ready,” said David Mukesha, Nditurende’s lawyer. Announcing her decision, Angelline Rutazana, the presiding judge, said that one month was enough time to prepare. “The case will resume on June 20,” She said. Reacting to the High Court decision, the Spokesperson of the National Public Prosecuting Authority, Alain Mukurarinda, said: “We are ready to begin the trial as soon as the defence is fully prepared. The Constitution grants the defendant the right to a fair and speedy trial”. Ends