publications

index  |  next>>

SUMMARY OF JUDGMENTS AGAINST THE ACCUSED

Jean-Paul Akayesu, former bourgmestre (mayor) of the Taba commune, was convicted of genocide, crimes against humanity (extermination, murder, rape, torture, and other inhumane acts), and direct and public incitement to commit genocide.  He was sentenced to life imprisonment.  The Appeals Chamber affirmed the verdict of guilty entered against Akayesu on all counts.

Ignace Bagilishema, former bourgmestre of the Mabanza commune which belonged to the Kibuye Prefecture, was unanimously acquitted on three counts, including genocide, and found not guilty by the majority of the Chambers of the remaining four charges which included complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity.  Thus, he was acquitted on all counts.  The Appeals Chamber affirmed the acquittal with regard to all counts.

Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza, high ranking board member of the Comite d’Initiative of the Radio Television Libre des Milles Collines (RTLM) and founding member of the Coalition for the Defence of the Republic (CDR), was convicted of genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity (extermination and persecution).  The Trial Chamber found that he should have been sentenced to life imprisonment, but by order of the Appeals Chamber, the Trial Chamber granted him a reduction in sentence.  Accordingly, Barayagwiza was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of thirty-five years. 

Jean Kambanda, former prime minister of the Interim Government of Rwanda, pled guilty to the six counts against him: genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, complicity in genocide, and crimes against humanity (murder and extermination).  He was sentenced to life imprisonment.  The Appeals Chamber affirmed the conviction against Kambanda on all counts.

Clement Kayishema, former prefect of Kibuye Prefecture, was convicted of genocide and sentenced to life imprisonment.  The Appeals Chamber affirmed the verdict of guilty entered against Kayishema on all counts.

Alfred Musema, former director of the Gisovu Tea Factory and economic leader in his prefecture, was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity (extermination and rape).  He was sentenced to life imprisonment.  The Appeals Chamber affirmed the verdict of guilty entered against Musema for genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity, but overturned the conviction for rape as a crime against humanity.

Ferdinand Nahimana, founder and ideologist of the RTLM, was convicted of genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity (extermination and persecution).  He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Hassan Ngeze, owner and chief editor of the newspaper Kangura, was convicted of genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity (extermination and persecution).  He was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Eliezer Niyitegeka, former minister of information of Rwanda’s Interim Government, was convicted of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity (murder, extermination, and other inhumane acts).  He was sentenced to imprisonment for the remainder of his life.  The appeal was pending at the time of publication of this document.

Elizaphan Ntakirutimana, a senior pastor of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, was convicted of aiding and abetting genocide and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of ten years.  The appeal was pending at the time of publication of this document.

Gerard Ntakirutimana, a medical doctor practicing at the Mugonero Adventist Hospital, was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity (murder).  He was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of twenty-five years.  The appeal was pending at the time of publication of this document.

Georges Ruggiu, a Belgian journalist, pled guilty to the crime of direct and public incitement to commit genocide and crimes against humanity (persecution).  He was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of twelve years on each count to be served concurrently.

Georges Rutaganda, former second vice-president of the youth wing of the Interahamwe militia, was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity (extermination, and murder).  He was sentenced to life imprisonment.  The Appeals Chamber confirmed the conviction for genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity, but overturned the conviction for murder as a crime against humanity.  The Appeals Chamber entered two new convictions for murder as a violation of Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.  The appeal decision was not publicly available at the time of publication.

Obed Ruzindana, former businessman in Kigali, was convicted of genocide and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of twenty-five years.  The Appeals Chamber affirmed that conviction.

Laurent Semanza, former bourgmestre of Bicumbi commune, was convicted of complicity to commit genocide and of crimes against humanity (extermination, torture and murder).  He was sentenced to imprisonment for a period of twenty-five years.  The appeal was pending at the time of publication of this document.

Omar Serushago, a former de facto leader of the Interahamwe in Gisenyi Prefecture, pled guilty to genocide and crimes against humanity (murder, extermination, and torture).  He was sentenced to imprisonment for a single term of fifteen years.  The Appeals Chamber affirmed the sentence.



index  |  next>>

February 2004