Kicukiro Primary Court has begun hearing in a case involving five suspects accused of leaking and circulating a sex tape involving singer Florien Uworizagwira, also known as Yampano. ALSO READ: Court postpones Yampano's video leak case The first hearing took place on December 4. It featured two suspects in the same file: Patrick Ishimwe, also known as Pazzo Man, and John Kalisa, known as Kjohn. Both are facing charges related to participating in the publication of pornographic material through a computer or computer system. Three additional suspects, Cyprien Uzabakiriho, known as Djihad, Nestor Kwizera, also known as Nesta Nestor, and François Xavier Ishimwe, are charged in separate but related case files. ALSO READ: Singer Yampano sues suspect behind leaked sex tape Prosecutors told the court that the sex tape in question was shared in November. According to Yampano, the video was originally recorded by himself and stored in his email without any intention of sharing it. Prosecutors allege that Pazzo Man, who had access to the singer’s email account while serving as his manager, may have leaked the video following a dispute between the two. They said the evidence includes a witness testimony and a cyber-forensic report. A witness reportedly told investigators that Kalisa showed him the explicit video while they were at a restaurant. Prosecutors also stated that during questioning, Pazzo Man admitted he was the first person to view the video. A cyber forensic report further indicates that Ishimwe contacted a person identified as Dumba, asking him to delete and stop circulating the footage. The prosecution also said that Kalisa requested and received the video from Kwizera and had previously shared a screenshot from the footage with musician Papa Cyangwe. ALSO READ: Two more suspects arrested in Yampano's leaked sex tape case The prosecution requested remand of the suspects, arguing that the charges carry a sentence of more than two years and that detention would prevent further circulation of the images, among other reasons. Both Ishimwe and Kalisa plead not guilty Ishimwe argued that although he had access to Yampano’s email, he and the singer used different devices, insisting he never downloaded, shared, or possessed the video. His lawyer stressed that the prosecution’s digital evidence did not show Ishimwe sharing or storing the video. The lawyer also argued that Yampano should be considered a suspect as well, saying that recording and storing the video in his email may have contributed to its leak. Kalisa also denied sharing the footage. Responding to prosecution's claims that he gave a screenshot to Papa Cyangwe, Kalisa said he had seen the image on someone’s WhatsApp status and sent it to ask whether Yampano was preparing to release a new song, as they had a project together. His lawyer argued that Kalisa’s request for the video did not imply criminal intent, saying he could have been motivated by curiosity or a desire to verify circulating rumours, especially since the video had already spread widely. He insisted that receiving the video alone is not a crime. Both defendants requested bail pending trial. The court had also been scheduled to hear the case involving the remaining three suspects, but the session was postponed to December 11 after one defendant appeared without legal representation. The court will also rule on the bail applications of Ishimwe and Kalisa on December 11.
