Ingabire’s family gives up bid to block Dutch evidence

Prosecution yesterday told the High Court that an attempt by Victoire Ingabire’s family to prevent the transfer of evidence found in her home in Holland, had failed. Ingabire and her co-accused are currently on trial on charges of forming an armed group, terrorism, complicity to commit terrorism and genocide ideology, among other cases. Prosecutor Bonaventure Ruberwa said that the Dutch Embassy wrote informing them that the appeal had been rescinded by Ingabire’s family and that preparations to transfer the documents were underway. “Your honour, we expect to have the evidence from Holland before the end of September, according to the letter from the embassy,” said Ruberwa. The documents became the centre of attention at the opening of the case in substance on September 5, when prosecution requested court to adjourn the hearing pending the transfer of the documents, which had been blocked by the Ingabire family in the European country. Prosecution alleges that the evidence includes several documents found in Ingabire’s house with proof of her subversive activities, telephone records showing communication with militia commanders and testimonies of people in Holland who worked with Ingabire to destabilise the country. The prosecutor also requested the court that in case they go through the available evidence before the documents are obtained, they would request court to adjourn the trial due to the importance of the awaited documents. The request met resistance from Ingabire and her counsel who argued that the documents should not stop the trial at any time because the time of transfer was not precise. “I don’t see why this case should stop at any point of time because, from the beginning, prosecution said that they have enough evidence,” she said. Meanwhile, on the third day of the second week into the trial, prosecution presented evidence against Ingabire for the fourth charge of Genocide ideology. The evidence included speeches that Ingabire made in various political meetings and a book titled “Umurage w’ amateka” which was validated by her party and adopted as its official document. Prosecution read excerpts of the book which explained how the government of Rwanda has committed genocide against the Hutu and how it had marginalised them by denying them the right to cultivate their land and to own money. They said that all the statements and the content of the book which Ingabire acknowledges, amounts to genocide ideology. Ends

National

Ingabire’s family gives up bid to block Dutch evidence