The Tribunal sentenced Kanyarukiga to 30 years imprisonment for genocide and extermination, as a crime against humanity after being satisfied that he and others planned the demolition of Nyange Church in Kivumu commune, Kibuye prefecture (western Rwanda) on April 16, 1994, killing about 2,000 Tutsis, who had taken refuge in it.
According to the Trial chamber, the prosecution established beyond reasonable doubt that Kanyarukiga acted with ‘'genocidal intent'' for his involvement in the planning and the subsequent mass killing of refugees at the church, amounting to extermination as a crime against humanity.
This week also, the ICTR Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow filed three new applications for referral of cases to Rwanda for trial.
The cases involve detainee Rwandan Pentecostal Church Pastor Jean-Bosco Uwinkindi and two fugitives, former mayor Charles Sikubwabo and Fulgence Kayishema, former judicial police inspector in Kivumu commune.
Kayishema is linked with massacres at Nyange church alongside others, including Ndahimana, currently facing genocide charges before the ICTR.
Already nine witnesses have testified against Ndahimana. They include three witnesses who testified this week with one admitting to have killed Tutsis and committed several other atrocities in the commune without being prosecuted by the authority led by Ndahimana. The trial continues Monday.
On the same day the Tribunal will hear closing arguments from the parties in the case of former Rwandan Director in the Ministry of Women and Family Affairs, Jean Baptist Gatete, who is charged with genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, incitement to commit genocide and crimes against humanity.
Furthermore, the trial of top leaders of then Rwandan ruling party, MRND, Mathieu Ngirumpatse and Edouard Karemera, will resume on that day. Ngirumpatse, the president of the party will continue to call witnesses for his defence, while Karemera, who was vice-president, had already presented his defence case.
FK/NI/ER
© Hirondelle News Agency