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Rwanda decisions
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The Court of Appeal upheld convictions and life sentences for gang formation, robbery, assault, and murder, rejecting claims of weak evidence and coercion.
The Court of Appeal dismissed criminal appeals and upheld life sentences for three appellants convicted of murder and intentional assault.
The Court of Appeal dismissed the appellants’ challenge, held the evidence proved joint participation in the killing, and changed the offense label to murder while keeping the prison term.
The Court of Appeal upheld life sentences for three accused in a murder and assault case, holding that witness and co-accused evidence supported their joint participation.
The Court found that consistent and corroborated witness testimony established Kigenza Charles's presence and participation in the group that attacked and killed Hasangira Innocent. Under established legal principles, individual use of a weapon is not required for liability in group crimes. The appeal was dismissed for lack of merit.
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Twagiramungu Jean is found guilty of genocide for participating in attacks at Kamondo Juvénal, Bendantunguka Daniel, and Cyanika Parish, acting with genocidal intent as part of a joint criminal enterprise, though no direct evidence of him committing killings was established; liability arises from his active participation and shared intent with others.
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The court found that Twagiramungu Jean was present and participated in attacks that killed Tutsi civilians at Kamondo Juvénal's and Bendantunguka Daniel's homes and at Cyanika Parish, as established by consistent and corroborated witness testimony. Although there was insufficient evidence to convict him for the Musange attack and the killing of Ruzagiriza Alfred, his participation in the aforementioned attacks, together with others sharing a genocidal plan, constituted criminal liability for genocide under the basic form of joint criminal enterprise. The court concluded that Twagiramungu Jean…
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The Court found that the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that Birindabagabo Jean Paul was present and participated in the commission of genocide and crimes against humanity in Sake and Kibirira in 1994. The Court held that minor inconsistencies in witness testimony did not undermine the substance of the evidence, that the accused was not under irresistible duress, and that conviction for both genocide and crimes against humanity based on the same acts is legally permissible. The appeal was dismissed and the life sentence upheld.
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The medical report was admissible after the doctor took the oath and explained it in court, curing the procedural defect. Evidence established that Kaberuka Jean Pierre strangled the victim with a metallic wire during a struggle in water, assisted by Habiyambere Alexis, whose actions facilitated the crime. Witness testimonies and forensic evidence corroborated the prosecution's case. The appeal lacked merit; conviction and sentence were upheld.
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The Court of Appeal upheld life sentences for murder, holding that confession does not bar judicial examination of evidence and that the appellants’ role exceeded corpse-moving.
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