Kigali, 30 April 2012

FDU-Inkingi condemn the police human rights violation and intimidation against the opposition members On Sunday 29th April 2012 around 15h00 the police arbitrary arrested and detained at Nyamirambo police station 9 leaders from PS Imberakuri Party while they were visiting Ntaganda Bernard’s Mother. These leaders were to this old mother home as sign of supporting and giving her their painful message after the Supreme Court decision on confirming 4 years in jail to Bernard Ntaganda; the president and founder of the PS  Imberakuri social Party.

Kigali, April 18, 2012.

The High Court ruled on the exception to proceed while Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, FDU-Inkingi Chair, has withdrawn from the case. Trials in absentia are permissible provided the defendant is duly notified of the proceedings. “Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza’s trial was almost at its end. She is not alone in this case. The appointment of a new counsel will delay the proceedings. In the highest interests of justice, the hearing will continue with no court appointed counsel, and she is no under any obligation to be present at trial…” says the High Court decision today in Kigali.

Kigali, 16 April 2012.

Following continuing intimidation of defense witnesses, the opposition leader Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, FDU - Inkingi Chair, told today the High Court that she has irrevocably lost trust in this show trial and that subsequently she will boycott all the next hearings. She instructed her defense counsel to abide by her decision and stay away from this unfortunate circus. The prosecutors told the court that the alleged intimidation of defense witnesses is not enough reason to withdraw, and that she should be produced in court even if she persists to boycott. Referring to the jurisprudence and rules of procedure on decisions rendered in the case ICTR v. Barayagwiza in Arusha, they suggested that a new counsel be designated for “in absentia proceedings”. The Court ruling on the issue of the refusal to attend the trial proceedings is due on 18 April 2012.