The acquittal of two high ranking Rwandan officials this week, who were convicted over their roles in the 1994 genocide, has angered Rwandan genocide survivors who have labelled the decision “outrageous”.
The former chief of staff for the paramilitary police force Augustin Ndindiliyimana and François-Xavier Nzuwonemeye, the former commander of a reconnaissance battalion were both acquitted on appeal of charges relating to the genocide.
The courts ruled that Ndindiliyimana had not “exercised effective control over” those who committed the killings, thus could not be held responsible for their atrocities. Nzuwonemeye, who was sentenced over his alleged role in the killing of Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and Belgian peacekeepers, as his role could not be proven beyond reasonable doubt. His second in command, Capt Innocent Sagahutu’s conviction was upheld, but he received a reduced jail sentence.
The decision was slammed by the head of Ibuka, the genocide survivors' association, Jean-Pierre Dusingizemungu, who told AFP,
“It is a denial of justice".
The deputy head Egide Nkuranga echoed these sentiments, adding,
"These are men who planned the massacre of our people. Now the ICTR has outrageously allowed them to walk scot-free”.
The acquittals come as French courts began their a landmark trial, with 54-year-old former intelligence chief Pascal Simbikangwa facing charges over the 1994 genocide, which left 800,000 dead.