The genocide convictions of two Rwandans sentenced to 30 years in prison each, have been overturned by a UN-backed appeals court.
The two men, Justin Mugenzi, who was trade minister during the 1994 genocide, and Prosper Mugiraneza, former minister in charge of civil servants, were sentenced in 2011 for complicity, and incitement, to commit genocide.
However, they have now been ordered for immediate release, with Roland Amoussouga, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda spokesperson, stating,
The two men, Justin Mugenzi, who was trade minister during the 1994 genocide, and Prosper Mugiraneza, former minister in charge of civil servants, were sentenced in 2011 for complicity, and incitement, to commit genocide.
However, they have now been ordered for immediate release, with Roland Amoussouga, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda spokesperson, stating,
"The convictions were reversed because the ICTR Appeals Chamber believes strongly that there were errors in the trial chamber's assessment of the evidence,"Ibuka, a Rwandan genocide survivors group slammed the decisions, with Ibuka head Professor Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu, saying,
"This acquittal is another nail in the coffin of the victims of the genocide, and a smack in the face for survivors of the genocide too,"
"The ICTR has delivered nothing for either the victims or the survivors of the genocide, delivering no compensation for the horrific atrocities committed during the genocide planned and perpetrated by the government of which Mugenzi and Mugiraneza were indisputably members - even though the ICTR denies that they were actively involved."
