The judgements are in the cases of former Rwandan musician Simon Bikindi and ex-Rwandan Deputy Prosecutor for Cyangugu Prefecture Simeon Nshamihigo.
On December 2, 2008 Bikindi was convicted on a single count of direct and public incitement to commit genocide by the first instance court. His defence, led by Andrea O'shea of the United Kingdom, presented six grounds of appeal on September 30, 2009 and asked that the punishment be reduced to between two and 10 years.
Nshamihigo was sentenced to life imprisonment on September 24, 2008 by the lower UN Court.
His Lead defence Counsel Denis Turcutte from Canada charged that the lower court erred in law and facts in its judgement and requested the conviction overturned, enter an acquittal on all counts and order an immediate release of the accused.
The appellant was convicted on four accounts of genocide, crimes against humanity (murder), crimes against humanity (extermination) and crimes against humanity (other inhuman acts).
These will be first appeals' judgements for this year. Seven more appeals judgements are still pending before the Chambers.
NI/SC/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency
