The appeal hearing in the case of Dieudonne Ishimwe, popularly known as "Prince Kid", the organizer of the Miss Rwanda beauty pageant, opened Friday at the High Court in Nyamirambo.

Ishimwe is the chief executive of Rwanda Inspiration Backup, the organization responsible for organizing the Miss Rwanda beauty pageant.

The appeal was lodged by prosecution following his acquittal by the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court late last year.

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Ishimwe earlier faced three charges - soliciting or offering sexual favours, harassment, and rape.

The prosecutor Roselyne Ninahazwa explained the basis of the prosecution's appeal, which consisted of six reasons. Some of the reasons were that the lower court judge disregarded some evidence and misinterpreted the nature of the crime on rape charges. Additionally, it is claimed that the judge ignored some testimonies of witnesses and victims.

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Ninahazwe explained that they did not request to hold the trial in camera because they wanted to ensure that people are aware of the veracity of the accusations, given that the case has received significant media attention.

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The prosecution also requested the higher court to examine part of the evidence that was ignored by the lower court including the conversation between Ishimwe and one of the victims recorded as well as text messages between them. Prosecution is of the view that it could have shed new light on the case and potentially changed the outcome.

Ishimwe pleaded not guilty to all charges, arguing that the case was a set up.

He maintained that he never raped either of the two suspects and had not harassed any of the Miss Rwanda contestants.

Ishimwe repeated that he had been framed, pointing out that some witnesses were asked what measures could be taken to address issues in Miss Rwanda contest. He claimed that when asked, some of them suggested that "the solution is to dismiss Ishimwe from organizing Miss Rwanda and give it to other people.”