Military Tribunal postpones hearing for Genocide suspect Seyoboka

The Military Tribunal has extended to Thursday the pre-trial hearing for Genocide suspect Henri Jean-Claude Seyoboka. Yesterday’s adjournment was requested by the suspect, who asked for more time to get a lawyer. Seyoboka is accused of genocide, extermination and murder as crimes against humanity that took place in Nyarugenge, Kigali city where he participated in meetings that planned killings, according to prosecution. A former officer with Ex-FAR, Seyoboka was extradited earlier this month after a Canadian Federal Court judge ruled that it was time for him to face his past actions, and let justice run its course. Appearing before the Nyamirambo-based military tribunal, Seyoboka, dressed in green uniform – worn by suspects in military detention – confirmed to court that he is 51 and was, during the Genocide against the Tutsi, a resident of Commune Nyarugenge. He said he belonged to the artillery unit of the then armed forces. After identifying himself, Seyoboka told court that he was not ready for trial as his lawyer was absent. He told court that his lawyer, Albert Nkundabatware, had assured him that he would be present before court proceedings but he was surprised when the lawyer did not show up. Prosecution was represented by Capt Kagiraneza Kayihura, who said it was the right of the accused to have a lawyer present during the trial but wondered why the lawyer failed to turn up even when he had been notified of the hearing. The presiding judge, Maj Gerard Muhigirwa, asked Seyoboka when he wished for the trial to resume and the suspect said that he was ready to face trial as soon as he gets a lawyer, which prompted the judge to set the trial on Thursday, December 1. Seyoboka is accused of participating in the extermination of at least 72 Tutsi who had sought refuge at the former African languages school in Kigali (CELA), and personally murdered – by shooting – in various places in the then Rugenge Sector of Kigali. He is also reported to have supervised killings in cohorts with other convicted militia leaders, including the former prefet of Kigali, Tharcisse Renzaho, one Ephraim Setako, and Odette Nyirabagenzi, former leader of Rugenge Sector. NPPA issued an international arrest warrant for Seyoboka earlier this year. In 2007, the Gacaca court of Nyarugenge Sector tried Seyoboka in absentia and sentenced him to 19 years for his participation in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in which more than a million people were killed. He is entitled to retrial since the case was conducted in his absence. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Military Tribunal postpones hearing for Genocide suspect Seyoboka