18.11.09 - RWANDA/GACACA - CORRUPT GACACA JUDGE CAUGHT RED-HANDED

Kigali, November 18, 2009 (FH) - The president of a Nyamasheke's Gacaca court (Southwestern Rwanda) was arrested and sent to jail on Monday after being caught red-handed receiving a bribe, several sources confirmed on Wednesday.

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Cyriaque Twagirayezu was caught pocketing 50,000 Rwandan francs (around US$ 100) he received from a former defendant, Pascal Uwimana, Hirondelle News Agency gathered from a local representative of Ibuka, the main association of genocide survivors.

Pascal Uwimana had been tried and acquitted earlier this year, but some plaintiffs requested a rehearing.

According to Radio Rwanda, the judge was threatening the defendant of handing down a guilty verdict at the end of the new trial.

Gacaca courts are among the most corrupted institutions in Rwanda, a recent report from the national Ombudsman stated.

SRE-ER/GF

© Hirondelle News Agency