PROSECUTOR v. URAYENEZA

PROSECUTOR v. URAYENEZA

There was doubt on the evidence incriminating Urayeneza François-Xavier of theft by housebreaking; such doubt must favor the accused, leading to acquittal. The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence.

Citation
RPAA 0178/11/CS
Parties
Prosecution: Prosecutor; Accused: Urayeneza François-Xavier
Court
Supreme Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
15 April 2016
Case Number
RPAA 0178/11/CS
Procedural Posture
Criminal Appeal / Supreme Court Final Appeal
Outcome
Appeal allowed; accused acquitted; immediate release ordered; prior judgment overturned; court fees charged to public treasury.
Legal Topics
Theft, Housebreaking, Provisional Detention, Standard of Proof, Doubt in Criminal Law
Source Language
en, rw
Criminal Law Criminal Procedure Theft Housebreaking Provisional Detention Standard of Proof Doubt in Criminal Law

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Parties

Prosecutor

Prosecution

Urayeneza François-Xavier

Accused

Procedural Posture

Criminal Appeal / Supreme Court Final Appeal

Legal Issues

  1. 1 Whether the accused should be provisionally released before final judgment
  2. 2 Whether there is sufficient evidence to convict the accused of theft by housebreaking

Ratio Decidendi

There was doubt on the evidence incriminating Urayeneza François-Xavier of theft by housebreaking; such doubt must favor the accused, leading to acquittal. The prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence.

Court Disposition

Appeal allowed; accused acquitted; immediate release ordered; prior judgment overturned; court fees charged to public treasury.

Orders

  • Immediate release of Urayeneza François-Xavier
  • Overturning of High Court judgment RPA 0556/09/HC/KIG