The court case involving 21 terror suspects linked to MRCD and its military wing resumed on Friday, February 26, in Kigali, with all suspects and their lawyers being present at the Supreme Court’s chamber. All the 21 suspects face terrorism-related charges. Their alleged acts resulted in the death of nine innocent civilians between 2018 and 2019 in the south-western part of the country. The case is being tried by the Nyanza-based High Court Specialised Chamber for International and Cross Border Crimes, but had to be transferred to Kigali where there are wider courtrooms to host all accused and other parties, and at the same ensure social distancing. The court on Friday started by responding to the jurisdictional objection that had been presented by Paul Rusesabagina, one of the accused, last week reiterating that it has the jurisdiction to try him, with respect to the nature of crimes he faces. Rusesabagina had said that he was a Belgian who had renounced his Rwandan nationality, adding that Rwandan courts did not have competence to try him, therefore appealing to be sent to Belgium. After rendering Rusesabagina’s objection as baseless, the judge ruled that the case continues, a resolution that was challenged by Rusesabagina and his two lawyers, on claims that they have other objections and, therefore, need ample time to submit them. Deliberating on Rusesabagina’s request, presiding judge Antoine Muhima said that it is the right of the accused to be given time to submit his objection, but urged the accused to expound on the nature of that objection. However, Rusesabagina and his lawyer insisted that they get more time to file the submitted as written, adding that the objection stemmed from the ruling about the jurisdictional challenge. Prosecution, which was led by Deputy Prosecutor General Angelique Habyarimana said court should not act on abstract argument, pressing Rusesabagina and his lawyer to state their objection. The judge ruled to give Rusesabagina five days in which to submit his objection to the electronic case management system, saying that court will reconvene next week on March 3. Besides Rusesabagina, the group is composed of Callixte Nsabimana, also known as Sankara, and Herman Nsengimana, both of whom are successive spokespersons of FLN militia group. During last week’s trial, the former challenged Rusesabagina, saying that it was shame that he claims not to be Rwandan, yet he was agitating to be Rwandan president. Angeline Mukandutiye is also among the accused, being the sole woman in the group. She faces the charge of being a member of a terrorist group returned to Rwanda after an offensive by the national army of DR Congo routed FLN and other fighters out of their positions in the eastern part of the country. The case has attracted civil parties, representing 84 individuals who are seeking damages from the group, having been affected by their activities.
