The High Court in Kigali on Monday, September 21, continued the hearing on the merits of the case involving Victoire Ingabire and her co-accused, with the prosecution detailing what it described as evidence linking Ingabire to a criminal organisation and alleged plans to destabilise the government. The prosecution played audio recordings and presented written documents as it outlined its case against Ingabire, who is facing several charges, including forming or joining a criminal organisation, inciting unrest among the population and spreading harmful information with the intention of creating a hostile international opinion against the Rwandan government. ALSO READ: P5 terror trial: Verdict postponed as prosecutors claim discovery of new evidence A major part of Monday’s proceedings focused on the prosecution’s allegation that Ingabire’s former political organisation, FDU-Inkingi, was linked to P5 coalition that the prosecution described as a terrorist organisation. Prosecutors alleged that Ingabire was involved in forming and leading the P5 organisation and that FDU-Inkingi was part of P5. They referred to previous court cases involving people they said had been convicted over their involvement in P5. The prosecution also relied on testimony from people it described as former P5 fighters captured in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including Fred Kananura and others. ALSO READ: Former convict Victoire Ingabire subpoenaed in conspiracy trial According to the prosecution, the witnesses described links between P5 fighters and members of FDU-Inkingi. The prosecution further alleged that after P5-linked activities came under increased scrutiny in 2019, FDU-Inkingi was replaced by DALFA-Umurinzi, which Ingabire founded. Prosecutors argued that the change of name did not amount to a complete break with the previous organisation. One of the witnesses, Boniface Nzabandora, was cited as saying that people who had previously been members of FDU-Inkingi subsequently became members of DALFA-Umurinzi. ALSO READ: Ingabire sentenced to 15 years in prison The prosecution also alleged that members of FDU-Inkingi received monthly financial support and that funds from members living abroad were used to support activities. Alleged plans for a coup and protests Another part of the prosecution’s case concerned what it described as plans to mobilise people through demonstrations and other forms of action. The prosecution referred to a testimony from a one Gaston Munyabugingo, who allegedly told investigators that Ingabire had discussed plans to mobilise about 5,000 people for a demonstration. According to the prosecution, the plan was linked to broader efforts to put pressure on the government, while others who worked with her were allegedly considering violent means. Prosecutors presented various evidence of discussions about using both non-violent and violent means to achieve political objectives. The prosecution further referred to a document allegedly recovered from Ingabire’s phone that contained a list of 79 people who, it said, were intended to take up positions in a proposed administration if the alleged plan to overthrow the government succeeded. Alleged misuse of City Kigali’s name The court also heard allegations concerning documents that prosecutors said were prepared using the name of the City of Kigali. The prosecution presented a document dated May 13, 2020, which it said had been prepared on Ingabire’s laptop and falsely attributed to the City of Kigali. According to prosecutors, the document concerned assistance to people affected by Covid-19 residents receiving food aid. The document, according to prosecutors, was intended to mislead the residents and create confusion and unrest by making it appear as though the information had originated from the city authorities. Alleged training and funding The prosecution also presented evidence concerning alleged training sessions involving members of DALFA-Umurinzi. It referred to messages exchanged through encrypted communication platforms and said participants used code names. ALSO READ: Witness implicates YouTuber Theoneste Nsengimana, co-accused in alleged conspiracy Prosecutors alleged that the training formed part of efforts to organise members and prepare them for activities aimed at challenging the government. The hearing is expected to continue on September 22, with the prosecution scheduled to present further details concerning the other charges.
