Citizens who were affected by terror attacks perpetrated by the FLN militia in various parts of the country are demanding a total of more than Rwf 1,628,560,000 as compensation from the perpetrators. The attacks happened in 2018 and 2019 against unarmed civilians in Nyamagabe, Rusizi and Nyaruguru districts, leaving at least nine people dead, many others injured and property destroyed. On Friday, May 21, the trial of the 21 members of the terror group continued as the High Court Chamber for International Crimes sitting in Kigali carried on with listening to those affected by the terror attacks that the DRC-based outfit perpetrated on Rwandan soil. By the end of the day’s session, the compensations demanded by the citizens had reached a total of more than Rwf 1,628,560,000, an amount that includes Rwf 530,000,000 demanded by 88 citizens from the three affected districts who are represented by one team of lawyers. It also includes Rwf 730,000,000 demanded by Omega public transport company, and Rwf 351,000,000 demanded by Alpha public transport company. The two transport companies had their vehicles (3 Toyota Coasters) burnt during attacks that took place in the Nyungwe forest. Vincent Nsengiyumva, the former Executive Secretary of Nyabimata Sector, whose car was burnt, part of his house damaged, and property looted asked for more than Rwf 7,560,000 in compensation, while Yusuf Ndutiye, a lawyer whose car was also burnt during the Nyungwe attacks asked for more than Rwf 10 million worth of compensation. During the same court session, a number of poignant stories were told by lawyers as they showcased the dire state in which some of the affected people were left, having sustained injuries and lost loved ones. Among these, is one Marie Chantal Ingabire, a citizen of Nyabimata, whose husband was shot dead by the attackers because he was reluctant to assist them carry looted property. The widow of two children asked for more than Rwf 130 million in compensation. Joesephine Mukashyaka also has such a story. Her husband, Fidele Munyaneza was shot in the leg and chest during the night when the FLN attacked Nyabimata sector in June 2018. She also is now a widow of two children. She asked for Rwf 100 million worth of compensation. More stories like these were presented by the lawyers to court, and they promised to bring some of the affected people to court, so that they can speak for themselves in some of the following hearings. Also presented to court were stories of people who were kidnapped and have never been seen again, as well as those that sustained permanent disabilities. In an earlier hearing, lawyers told court that compensation is being sought collectively from all the 21 suspects. “They are one group, and each of them had a role to play in the attacks. While some attacked, others were in offices fundraising for the militia group, others organized the attack and those that were just part of the terror group,” one of the three lawyers representing the affected people said. The case will proceed on June 16.
