02.09.08 - RWANDA/GACACA - GACACA: 15 PEOPLE FINED ABOUT $3,000 EACH FOR LOOTING DURING GENOCIDE

2 September 2008 By

Kigali, 2 September 2008 (FH) - Fifteen people have been fined in a single trial by the semi-traditional Gacaca Court of Cyivugiza Cell of Nyamirambo Sector, Kigali, to each pay within 15 days 1.5 million Rwandan Francs (2, 726 USD) for goods looted during the 1994 genocide.

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They were also found guilty of destruction of seven houses and banana fields belonging to the Bihayihayi family in the Gatare Cell. The value of looted and destroyed goods were estimated at 27,584, 000 Rwandan Francs (50, 000 USD), according to the court.

An amicable settlement had initially been concluded and each one was to pay 600, 000 Rwandan Francs (1, 100 USD), explained one of the grandsons of the victim but the looters deceived the settlement and they resorted to court justice, he explained.

According to Gacaca rules, the decisions in trials for looting are without appeal (Art.94) and indicate when and how the looted goods are to be re-paid-- either by restitution or payment of the exchange-value, or disposition of equivalent services.

Since the beginning of the gacaca courts, Nyarugenge district has tried 1,414 third category (looters) cases.

SRE/PB/MM/SC