13.10.10 - ICTR/BENIN - GENOCIDE CONVICT DIES IN BENIN AS HE WAS SERVING HIS LIFE IMPRISONMENT

13 October 2010 By

Arusha, October 13, 2010 (FH) - Former Rwandan businessman and genocide-convict, Georges Rutaganda, 52, passed away on Monday, in Benin, where he was serving his life imprisonment, according to a press release issued by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

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The statement explained that Rutaganda who was also the Second Vice President of the National Committee of Interahamwe militiamen of the Rwandan ruling party in 1994, the MRND, died following ‘'sudden complication of a long illness.''

The deceased born in Gitarama prefecture, Central Rwanda, was convicted by the Tribunal on one count of genocide and two counts of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life imprisonment on December 6, 1999 and his appeal was dismissed on May 26, 2003.

Rutaganda is a second genocide-convict to die in Benin while serving penalty, preceded by Jean Bosco Barayagwiza, founding leader of the hate Radio, RTLM, during genocide who passed away on April 25, 2010.

Two other genocide convicts had also died already. They are the Seventh Day Adventist Pastor, Elizaphan Ntakiruntima who passed away on January 22, 2007 shortly after he completed his jail term and Joseph Serugendo, member of the National Committee of Interahamwe and also Steering Committee of the RTLM who died on August 22, 2006, two month after he was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

The Anglican Bishop of Shongwe Diocese, Samuel Musabyimana died on January 24, 2003 before the commencement of his trial and Joseph Nzirorera, former Secretary General of the MRND succumbed to death on July 1, 2010 as he was close to finishing his defence case.

NI/ER/GF