Journalist’s bail hearing set for today

A court in Muhanga is today set to pass a bail ruling in the case of Epaphrodite Habarugira, a journalist with Radio Huguka who allegedly uttered statements that tantamount to genocide ideology in a newscast. According to the Prosecution, the suspect implied there is confusion between Genocide survivors and perpetrators. The suspect is alleged to have accused the survivors of being responsible for the Genocide against the Tutsi. In the newscast Habarugira, is alleged to have uttered a statement loosely translated as [the 1994 Genocide survivors say they live in harmony with those that survived but those of Karama Parish in Huye District say they are not happy with the way they are living since they didn’t show them the remains of their relatives].“He claims he was drunk while he was reading news but our investigations show no proof to this effect,” said Prosecution spokesman, Alain Mukuralinda. Haburugira was arrested on April 24, after the alleged utterances during the April 22, news bulletin live on radio. “Habarugira was produced before court on Monday for the mention. The verdict of the pre-trial hearing should be passed in 24 hours but since May 1, is a public holiday, the court’s decision is expected tomorrow (today),” said Mukuralinda. Following the development, Huguka Radio Manager Eugène Ndekezi terminated Habarugira’s contract.

National

Journalist’s bail hearing set for today