Man accused by MP in Gacaca acquitted

NYARUGENGE - The Gacaca case in which Liberal Party MP, Francois Udahemuka’s accused a former prison warden of torturing him in 1990 has come to an end after five years. Presiding over the Gacaca court session, Charles Munonozi ruled that Paul Rugenera who was accused by the MP for having begun committing Genocide in 1990 was declared innocent. Udahemuka was not present. Udahemuka accused Rugenera of physically assaulting him, breaking his back and stealing $2,500 (Frw1.4 million) on November 6, 1990 when Udahemuka, now aged 65, was detained as a suspected RPF collaborator. Regenera was sentenced to 19 years in jail on November 18, 2007. The accused appealed the decision. “I was not given audience previously by the court that sentenced me unfairly but I am happy the ruling was overturned,” said a joyous Rugenera upon stepping out of Kigali Central Prison Thursday evening. Rugenera, now 60, worked as a prison warden between 1977 and 1991. In the previous hearing Rugenera claimed he was off duty on November 6, 1990. When contacted yesterday, Udahemuka expressed dissatisfaction of the ruling and vowed to re-appeal. “I am not contented. How could they rule in my absence yet I had sent prior information that I was sick? This is unacceptable,” Udahemuka said yesterday in a telephone interview. He added that he was going to appeal the court’s decision. “I want justice to prevail,” said Udahemuka. Ends