The Court of Appeal in Sweden upheld the country's first conviction over the Rwandan genocide stating that despite the length of time passed, the testimonies remain reliable, reports the Wall Street Journal.
Stanislas Mbanenande, a 55 year old Swedish citizen, was sentenced to life imprisonment last year by a Stockholm district court over his role in the genocide, including his involvement in the massacres at Kibuye.
In a statement, the Court of Appeal said,
"The case rests only on oral testimonies and there are still feelings of revenge. There's a risk that witnesses have been influenced, such things happen in Rwanda which isn't exactly governed by the rule of law," his lawyer, was quoted by the WSJ as saying.
Stanislas Mbanenande, a 55 year old Swedish citizen, was sentenced to life imprisonment last year by a Stockholm district court over his role in the genocide, including his involvement in the massacres at Kibuye.
In a statement, the Court of Appeal said,
"The Court of Appeals has concluded that the identifying testimonies, despite the long time that has passed, are so reliable that it is clear it is the defendant."Mr Mbanenande's defence team had challenged the conviction, arguing that the testimonials and evidence gathered during the investigation had been fabricated.
"The case rests only on oral testimonies and there are still feelings of revenge. There's a risk that witnesses have been influenced, such things happen in Rwanda which isn't exactly governed by the rule of law," his lawyer, was quoted by the WSJ as saying.