P5 terror trial: Verdict postponed as prosecutors claim discovery of new evidence

The Court of Appeals, on Friday, July 28, postponed the verdict for the appeal case filed by former militiamen belonging to the P5, an umbrella of rebel groups fighting against the government of Rwanda. The decision came in response to a request by the prosecutors who sought additional time to present recently discovered evidence. ALSO READ: Mudathiru gets 25-year jail sentence as RNC terror trial comes to an end The appeal case involves 26 individuals – mostly former P5 militiamen who were convicted by the Military High Court in March 2021 on various charges, including being part of an irregular armed group, conspiring against an established government, participating in terrorist activities, and being part of a criminal group. They include retired Major Habib Mudathiru, the former Chief of Operations of the P5, who was sentenced to 25 years. His counterparts received sentences ranging from 25 years to one and a half years. One of Mudathiru's main grounds for appeal is his claim that he did not participate in the 2019 terror attacks against civilians in Kinigi. He asserts that being associated with the attacks led to his hefty penalty. The Kinigi attacks were orchestrated by RUD-Urunana, a militia operating under the P5 umbrella, resulting in the loss of at least 15 lives and injuries to 14 individuals. ALSO READ: Six Kinigi terror attackers sentenced to life in prison Mudathiru also argues that he was not found guilty of forming a terror group, which he believes should reduce his sentence. Additionally, his lawyer pointed out some mitigating circumstances, highlighting his client's cooperation with the court by providing essential information during the trial. Initially set for July 28, the court postponed the verdict after prosecutors requested time to present new evidence linking the convicts to terrorism charges. Notably, the prosecutors aim to present new evidence regarding Private Dieudonne Muhire, a deserter of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) who received a 25-year jail term. The court has rescheduled the verdict for December 4.

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P5 terror trial: Verdict postponed as prosecutors claim discovery of new evidence