Germany jails Rwandan ex-mayor for 14 yearsThe Frankfurt High Court on Tuesday found Rwandan mayor Onesphore Rwabukombe guilty of participating in the 1994 genocide and sentenced him to 14 years in jail. Rwabukombe, 56, was in charge of Muvumba commune in north-east Rwanda at the time of the genocide. His lawyer said he would appeal. Rwandan judicial authorities, who tried and failed to get him extradited, hailed the German judgment as a contribution to eradicating the “culture of impunity”.
Former journalist accuses SimbikangwaOne of the witnesses testifying this week against Rwandan ex-intelligence officer Pascal Simbikangwa was former journalist Samuel Nshimiyimana, who said he had been tortured by the accused before the 1994 genocide. The witness said this was because of an article he had written that named Simbikangwa as a member of the “death squads”. The trial of Simbikangwa, who is paraplegic, continues Monday. It is the first trial in France of a Rwandan genocide suspect.
Tripoli recognizes 2011 rape victims as war victims Libya on Wednesday passed a law recognizing women who were raped during the 2011 Revolution as “war victims”, as well as those who were subjected to sexual slavery under the regime of Muammar Gaddafi. The law also contains measures to protect children born of these rapes and to facilitate their adoption.
Next WeekThe trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang is scheduled to continue next week before the International Criminal Court (ICC) with testimonies of prosecution witnesses. A Paris court is set to continue hearings in the trial of Pascal Simbikangwa, the first Rwandan to be tried in France for suspected participation in the 1994 genocide.
ER/JC