Rubavu: Four remanded over forgery of Gacaca court document
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Gisenyi Primary Court in Rubavu District on Wednesday, August 16, remanded four people charged with forgery of a Gacaca court decision in a case related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Courtesy

Gisenyi Primary Court in Rubavu District on Wednesday, August 16, remanded four people charged with forgery of a Gacaca court decision in a case related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Pascasie Nzitukuze, Pierre Nzabonimpa, Donath Bujengeri and Marciana Nyirandayambaje stand accused of forging a document that cleared one Ildephonse Nsabimana of the crime of genocide.

ALSO READ: Why Genocide survivors want Gacaca law revised

Nsabimana, also known as Ntabarimfasha, was charged with killing Faustin Ndabarinze, his wife Martine Nyirakanyana and one of their children during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Ndabarinze’s family lived in the former Mutura Commune, in today’s Mudende Sector, Rubavu District.

The New Times understands that Ndabarinze and Nyirakanyana were the parents of Julienne Uwacu, a former member of parliament who also served as minister of sports from 2015 to 2017.

The four people, detained in Nyakiriba Correctional Facility, are charged with three counts, namely forgery, falsification and use of forged documents; influence peddling; and disposing of or degrading evidence or information relating to genocide.

They will be held for 30 days before the trial begins.

ALSO READ: Over 1,100 cases of Genocide ideology recorded in four years

According to the law determining offences and penalties in general, the forgery, falsification and use of forged documents attracts a sentence of five to seven years and a fine of Rwf3 million to Rwf5 million.

The law against corruption says a person found guilty of influence peddling is liable to five to seven years in prison and a fine of Rwf3 million to Rwf5 million.

The law on the crime of genocide, genocide ideology and related crimes determines that a person found guilty of disposing of or degrading evidence or information relating to genocide is liable to seven to nine years in prison and a fine of Rwf500,000 to Rwf1 million.