Genocide suspect Seyoboka remanded

The Nyamirambo-based military tribunal, yesterday, remanded Henri Jean Claude Seyoboka, a Genocide suspect who was recently deported from Canada.

Tuesday, December 06, 2016
Seyoboka.

The Nyamirambo-based military tribunal, yesterday, remanded Henri Jean Claude Seyoboka, a Genocide suspect who was recently deported from Canada.

Seyoboka was remanded for 30 days as requested by the military prosecution for them to conclude the investigations before the case can begin in substance.

During the pre-trial hearing, last Thursday, prosecution had prayed for his remand, stating that the accused was a flight risk, given the lengthy jail sentence he faces in case he is convicted.

The accused, a former military officer in the former government forces (Ex-FAR) was deported to Rwanda from Canada last month over charges he faced back home for his alleged role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

He stands accused of three crimes namely: committing genocide, conspiracy in genocide crimes, murder as a crime against humanity and rape.

Presiding judge Major Gerard Muhigirwa denied Seyoboka bail saying the crimes he is accused of are very serious and there was overwhelming evidence pinning him.

Prosecutor Captain Kayiranga Kayihura had pinned the suspect on acts of Genocide in Kigali’s Nyarugenge District where, in 1993, he allegedly attended a meeting with Angelique Mukandutiye, then a sector leader, and one Odette Nyirabagenzi, both notorious genocidaires.

The prosecutor also said that, during the 1994 Genocide, Seyoboka worked with the two women and other militia leaders to kill Tutsi who had sought refuge at the former African Languages School in Kigali (CELA), at Saint Paul, and at Saint Famille on various occasions in April.

Seyoboka denies all the charges, saying that during the time the prosecutor accused him of preparing genocide and training the militia, he was a student at the National University of Rwanda and could not get time to attend the said meeting.

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