An appeals court in Finland has turned down the request of genocide convict Francois Bazaramba for release after it ruled that continuing his imprisonment was not unreasonable. On Friday, the Helsinki Court of Appeals turned down a request by Bazaramba to be released pending his appeal.In June, a Court in Ita-Uusimaa, Finland, handed Bazaramba a life sentence for his role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, after it found him guilty of taking part in the killings committed in the Southern Province, where he served as a clergyman. Bazaramba was convicted on two charges, intent to destroy the Tutsi population in Maraba on April 15, 1994, and propaganda speech calling for the extermination of the Tutsi. He was accused of having masterminded the killing of over 5,000 people in Nyakizu, Southern Province during the Genocide. According to his charge sheet, he organized and maintained night patrols and road blocks, forcing the Tutsi to leave their homes; he also organized the burning and destruction of their homes and property. He is also accused of participating in attacks against the Tutsi in Cyahinda church near Butare, Southern Province. Bazaramba, 59, sought asylum in Finland in 2003. He has been in detention since 2007. During his trial, Finish judges travelled to Rwanda to visit the crime scene and screen witnesses. Ends
