Prosecution objects to Bandora bail application

Prosecution yesterday objected to Charles Bandora’s request for bail, saying the accused stands charged of serious crimes. Bandora, the first Genocide suspect to be extradited to Rwanda, was appearing before the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court yesterdayProsecution averred that Bandora, who was in March this year extradited from Norway, was a flight risk in case he was released. “We are seeking provisional detention based on the gravity of the crimes Bandora is charged. If he is released from custody, he might flee the country considering that he did not come to Rwanda by his wish,” Prosecutor Ndibwami Rugambwa told the court.Charges against Bandora include; genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, complicity in genocide, extermination as a crime against humanity, murder and formation of a criminal gang.According to Rugambwa, Bandora was, during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the vice chairperson of MRND in Bugesera – the party that conceptualised and implemented the Genocide that left over a million people dead in just 100 days. He is alleged to have coordinated all the killings in his area of residence.MRND is a former ruling party that oversaw the planning and execution of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “He gave his own vehicles to the Interahamwe militia to go and kill Tutsi and he rewarded them every time they returned from killing. He made lists of Tutsis who were to be killed,” said Rugambwa, adding that, “besides the killings, everything that the militia looted took it to his home and he is accused by his neighbours, those who participated in the genocide and his former employees.”Bandora is a former businessman who is accused of organising and participating in the Genocide, particularly the killings of hundreds who had taken refuge at Ruhuha Church.The defence insisted the suspect deserves bail.“We have proved before this court that the witnesses brought forward by the Prosecution have contradicting information. Also my client is suffering from diabetes,” urged Bandora’s lawyer Boniface Nizeyimana.Judge John Byakatonda is expected to deliver his decision on the provisional release tomorrow.Bandora was extradited on March 10 after losing several court battles against his extradition.

National

Prosecution objects to Bandora bail application