Rwanda: Two Deny Taking Part in Clergy Deaths

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Rwanda News Agency/Agence Rwandaise d'Information (Kigali)

17 June 2008
Posted to the web 17 June 2008

Kigali

The most senior officers among the four accused in the alleged killing of catholic clergy during the 1994 Genocide said 'Not Guilty' to the charge sheet, RNA reports.

Brig Gen Wilson Gumisiriza and Maj. Wilson Ukwishaka told the military court martial on Tuesday that they did not have any part in the alleged mass assassination of 13 clergy in Southern Rwanda.

However, as the accused appeared for their first hearing, the court heard the guilty plea from Capt. John Butera and Capt. (Rtd) Dieudonné Rukeba. The two confirm what prosecutors hold that they are the ones that pulled the triggers on that fateful day June 05, 1994.

Military prosecutors argued that as the senior commanding officers of the junior officers, Brig Gen Wilson Gumisiriza and Maj. Wilson Ukwishaka are held responsible for their actions.

Appearing in packed court, Capt. (Rtd) Dieudonné Rukeba was dressed in civilian cloths as the serving officers marked their military fatigue. In attendance also included officials from the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda that handed their part of the dossier against the officers to Kigali leading to the actual arrest of the men.

Though the accused have demanded bail, prosecutors told court that it would be in the best interest of the case that they remain in detention as they would interfere with 'ongoing investigations'.

The Rwanda Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday that it had detained four officers in connection with the killings of 13 churchmen of the Kabgayi Diocese in Southern Rwanda.

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It is alleged that on June 05 1994, the arrested officers killed Archbishop Vincent Nsengiyumva along with 12 others in revenge for the massacre of their families.

Catholic leaders have already called for a trial by foreigners or out of Rwanda citing possible interference from the establishment.

The military court marshal is to decide on Wednesday the bail application by the officers.

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Jean-Louis Kayitenkore
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