Prosecution seeks life sentence for key Genocide suspect

HUYE – Huye Intermediate Court has set July 28 for the ruling in the case against Dr Runyinya Barabwiliza, who is charged with Genocide crimes. Dr Runyinya faces three counts, including; masterminding the Genocide, forming a criminal gang and distributing arms to Interahamwe militia well before the Genocide. Hearing of the case closed Wednesday with the defence team presenting its final submissions. On Tuesday, prosecution, represented by Gaspard Rudatinya and John Burigande Museruka, pushed for a life sentence for the foreign affairs adviser to former President Juvenal Habyarimana. Closing its submission, the prosecution alleged that between 1993 and 1994, Runyinya organised various meetings and demonstrations in Huye town to mobilise the Interahamwe to exterminate Tutsis. The meetings were allegedly attended by some high-profile officials then, including former Minister for Women and Family Affairs, Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, who was recently handed a life sentence by the Arusha-based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). In his final defence, yesterday, Dr Runyinya maintained that he was innocent insisting he did not take part in the killings. His lawyer, Protais Mutembe, requested the court to acquit him. Born in 1947 in the former Gikongoro Prefecture, Dr Runyinya holds a PhD in land management. Between 1992 and April 1994, he served as a foreign affairs adviser to former President Juvenal Habyarimana and followed the Arusha peace talks. He also served as the chairman of MRND, in the former Butare Prefecture between 1993 and 1994. His trial started on April, 4 this year. Ends

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Prosecution seeks life sentence for key Genocide suspect