‘'The Appeals Chamber, reduces, Judge (Fausto) Pocar dissenting, the sentence of 30 years of imprisonment imposed on Kalimanzira by the Trial Chamber to 25 years of imprisonment,'' announced Presiding Judge Theodor Meron.
Kalimanzira, an agronomist, "is to remain in the custody of the Tribunal pending the finalization of arrangements for his transfer to the State where his sentence will be served", the American Jugde added.
On June 22, 2010, the Trial Chamber convicted Kalimanzira, former Director of Cabinet in the ministry of Interior, for genocide and public and direct incitement to commit genocide notably in relation to massacres at various roadblocks and at Kabuye hill, in Butare prefecture (Southern Rwanda).
The appeals chamber quashed the conviction for incitement to commit genocide and upheld the conviction for genocide, confirming that Kalimanzira aided and abetted the massacres at Kabuye hill where thousands of Tutsis were killed in the afternoon of April 23, 1994.
According to many witnesses before the trial chamber, Tutsis at Kabuye hill were attacked by policemen, gendarmes and civilians including Burundian refugees.
Another former high ranking official, Dominique Ntawukulilyayo, former deputy-governor, was sentenced for the same massacre. He is awaiting the hearing of his case before the Appeals chamber.
NI-ER/FK/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency