High court postpones Ingabire verdict

Judge Alice Rulisa averred that the court decided to wait for a Supreme Court decision on a constitutional interpretation case the defendant filed there.Ingabire was absent as she boycotted but the four of her co accused where present in court. “The Court realised that Ingabire petitioned the Supreme Court challenging the genocide ideology law, and her lawyer requested for stay of the ruling, pending the Supreme Court decision,” ruled Rulisa.She said that the panel established that the decision by the Supreme Court may affect the High Court verdict and that’s why we decided to wait for their ruling.”Ingabire petitioned the Supreme Court seeking a repeal of articles 4 and 9 of the law against genocide ideology saying they contradict articles 33 and 34 of the constitution that guarantee freedom of expression.The Supreme Court set October 5 as the date for its decision on Ingabire’s application. This is the second time the High Court is postponing its verdict on Ingabire’s case; the first postponement was on June 30 on grounds that the judges hadn’t finalised deliberations.Prosecution had earlier asked for a life sentence for Ingabire and 10 years for each of her co-accused.Ingabire’s co-accused include Capt. Jean Marie Vianney Karuta, who is accused of being a member of a terrorist group and planning activities aimed at causing state insecurity.Karuta, a former FDLR officer, pleaded guilty.The other co-accused are Lt. Col Tharcisse Nditurende, Lt. Vital Uwumuremyi and Col Noel Habiyakare, all former members of the FDLR militia.The two officers also pleaded guilty of having conspired with Ingabire to form a rebel movement.Towards the end of the trial, Ingabire boycotted the hearings as the prosecution started making its final submissions. She was not present during yesterday’s hearing.British High Commissioner Benedict Llewellyn-Jones was among those who were at the court.

National

High court postpones Ingabire verdict