Leon Mugesera was charged with plotting genocide, incitement and distribution of arms on Thursday, for his part in the 1994 genocide.
Mugesera was recently deported, after losing his fight against deportation, which started over 16 years ago.
Speaking at court in Kigali, he said,
"I'm not ready to begin,"
"I need more time to find a lawyer. I've asked the prosecutor to wait. Within one or two months I will know who my lawyer will be."
In 1992, Mugesera made an infamous speech where he called on the Hutu community to kill the Tutsis, calling the Tutsis "cockroaches" and "scum".