Military High Court rejects Lt. Seyoboka's bail appeal

Rwanda Military High Court has upheld the ruling of a lower military court to remand, for more 30 days, Lt Jean Claude Seyoboka, a Genocide suspect, to give prosecution more time to gather evidence. A member of the former Rwandan army (Ex-FAR), Seyoboka had petitioned the court to reverse an earlier ruling denying him bail, arguing that his continued incarceration was very unfair. Seyoboka was extradited from Canada in November 2016 and has since been in detention. He is accused of playing an active part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi that claimed the lives of over a million people. Maj. Bernard Rugamba, the presiding Judge at the Military High Court, ruled that the prosecution’s arguments were valid and in line with the spirit of article 104 of criminal procedure. Seyoboka said that his case had dragged on for more than 20 years and should delay no longer. He added that his dossier in the Gacaca court was rich enough for the prosecution to complete the file. Shortly after he was deported from Canada, the military court nullified the Gacaca court verdict because he had been tried in absentia and started the case afresh. Lt Seyoboka is accused of leading killing squads in Nyarugenge District. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Military High Court rejects Lt. Seyoboka's bail appeal