In his urgent motion published on the ICTR website, former Rwandan Army Officer Lt. Col. Nsengiyumva wants Bagilishema, who was once charged with genocide and acquitted, to testify on his letter detailing information on dispatch of Interahamwe militiamen allegedly reinforced attacks at Bisesero area in the prefecture, Western Rwanda.
The Mayor wrote on June 24, 1994 to the Prefect of Kibuye, Clément Kayishema, regarding Interahamwe militiamen who came from Gisenyi to reinforce attacks at Bisesero between June 19 and 22, 1994.
"Bagilishema is best placed to explain the contents of his letter so that it understood properly within its context. In particular, he will clarify issues relating to the origin of Interahamwe and their conduct while in Kibuye Prefecture," Nsengiyumva said.
The question would be whether the Interahamwe militiamen came from Gisenyi town or any other place in Gisenyi prefecture. Nsengiyumva was Commander of Military Operations for Gisenyi sector in North Rwanda at the time of the country's genocide in 1994.
The prosecution had produced the letter as exhibit during trial to corroborate evidence of its witness code named KJ. Trial Chamber found the witness to have provided direct and convincing testimony on Interahamwe militiamen arrival in Kibuye from Gisenyi.
Nsengiyumva was convicted of offences related to Bisesero events after the Chamber considered the letter in question and found his role in dispatching militiamen was true.
He was charged jointly with Col. Théoneste Bagosora, former Director of Cabinet, Ministry of Defence, Major Aloys Ntabakuze and Brigadier-General Gratien Kabiligi with genocide, among others.
Bagosora and Ntabakuze were convicted of the offences alongside Nsengiyumva and sentenced to life imprisonment each, while Kabiligi, the former FAR head of military operations, was acquitted.
FK/ER/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency