The Supreme Court, last week, upheld life sentence for a man accused of torturing his step-son.Edouard Karemera was, last year, convicted of torturing Zacharias Bizimungu, a one-and-a-half-year old boy in Rangiro, Nyamasheke district.The Rusizi Intermediate Court sentenced him to life in prison, but he appealed the ruling early this year.Prosecution said in June 2012, Karemera drove a needle through the baby’s armpit. The needle ended up in the child’s lungs.He also used a tool to smash the baby ribs disabling him in the process, according to medical reports.Karemera first told court that he committed the offence in revenge after his brother-in-law accused him of stealing a beer bottle. However, he later changed his defence, saying he was under the influence of drugs.Upholding the verdict, the court said he deserves a life sentence because the torture, which left the baby disabled, is beyond bearing.
