The high court in Musanze has postponed the ruling in the case involving 14 suspected FDLR operatives accused of carrying out terror attacks in the country to March 12. The suspects, who are all said to have been part of a criminal enterprise that collaborated with FDLR to mount insecurity in the country, were separately arrested last year and charged with several counts of terrorism and crimes against the state. The court had earlier set the ruling for February 12 (yesterday) but a letter by Valens Nsanzitegeko, the chief registrar of Musanze High Court chambers, said they were still typing the ruling. Prosecution had earlier requested court to hand a life sentence to each of the 14 suspects. During previous hearings, some of the accused pleaded guilty. One of the 14 suspects, Jotham Nsengiyumva, confessed to all charges, and tried to accuse the Governor of Northern Province, Aime Bosenibabwe, of instigating them but both the govenor and the prosecution rubbished the claims. The prosecution accused the suspects of murder, aggravated assault and battery, treason, conspiracy against the established government, terrorism and illegal possession of fire arms. “We request that all suspects be sentenced to life in jail as they all played a role in the operations,” Prosecutor Emmanuel Nsengiyumva told the court late last year during assessment. The suspects are accused of conducted three terror operations, one targeting the home of Musanze mayor Winifrida Mpembyemungu, where a toddler was killed and two others injured. Another terror attack claimed the life of Clement Mucyurabuhoro, a Policeman who was shot dead in 2013, while the third attack left several people injured when a grenade was hurled near the Police College in Musanze town. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
