KIGALI - Victoire Umuhoza Ingabire, the embattled leader of the yet-to-be-registered political party, FDU-Inkingi, was yesterday released on bail following her arrest and arraignment before court on Wednesday. A seemingly relieved Ingabire smiled and shook hands with the prosecutor after the Vice president of Gasabo Intermediate Court, Maurice Mbishibishi, granted her bail. She was ordered to report to the prosecution, once a week and stay within the confines of Kigali City. Ingabire is charged with association with a terrorist group, propagating the Genocide Ideology, Revisionism and Divisionism. Ingabire, this time without her lawyer, arrived in court at around 11.30 a.m. and headed straight to the courtroom, full of, mainly, journalists. Looking pensive, Ingabire listened attentively as the judge read the court decision to grant her bail, despite the prosecution insisting that she should be temporarily detained as investigations continue. “From what you told court yesterday, and the assurance you gave that you will not escape, court has decided to allow you to continue answering charges from outside detention,” Judge Mbishibishi said. “You will be required to report to prosecution every Monday and cooperate with police. You will also be obliged to stay within Kigali.” “I am pleased by the decision of the court,” she said as she entered into a waiting vehicle. However, the prosecution said it was not happy with the court’s decision to grant her bail. “We still have ample time to appeal against this decision but we are definitely not happy,” Richard Muhumuza, the Prosecutor at Gasabo Court told the press. Ends
