Mugesera trial delayed to allow him time to find lawyers

It will take two or more months before the trial of deported Rwandan genocide fugitive Léon Mugesera starts.

Mugesera, who was deported from Canada last month, on Thursday requested an Intermediate Court Judge in Kigali for two months so that he can get lawyers of his choice before his trial gets underway.

The 59 year old, who is likely to face charges of inciting violence and crimes against humanity through an incendiary speech made in 1992 calling on Hutus to kill Tutsis, did not enter any plea during his first court appearance.

Intermediate Court Judge Saudah Murererehe read out the contents of the charge sheet to a calm looking University lecturer donning a grey suit, a blue shirt and brown leather shoes.
Mugesera will face three counts which include Planning the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, inciting the public to commit genocide and distribution of weapons.

Traffic came to a halt as Mugesera, who battled deportation from the vast North America country for more than 16 years, was led to and out of the court after a session that lasted close to 30 minutes.
“I requested Prosecution to allow me two months for me to get lawyers and the request was granted. Currently I have only one lawyer whom I haven’t fully trusted. I request the court to consider my request as well,” Mugesera pleaded before the Judge, who granted the request.
According to Rwanda’s Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga, Mugesera turned down an offer for a pro bono lawyer offered locally through Kigali Bar Association, opting instead for two foreign lawyers and two local ones.

Ngoga said that his office last week facilitated him to call his family in Canada and arrange for lawyers from Canada or even identify local lawyers who can represent him and the request was granted.
The Prosecutor in the case Ndibwami Rugambwa told court that the State Prosecution will afford Mugesera the time as it is his right to get a lawyer of his choice.
“What we do is to facilitate him to call his family and lawyers back in Canada, and we will do so as long as he asks, we have no objection,” Rugambwa said.

“Article 18 of the Constitution says every person has a right to legal representation. We believe his request should be considered. We concur with him he should be given ample time to get his lawyers,” he added.

The Judge adjourned the hearing to April 02, 2012.
Mugesera, a former member of the ruling party, MRND, in Gisenyi, is accused of giving an incendiary speech in which he incited the killing of Tutsis ‘scum’ and throw their bodies into River Nyabarongo river, a tributary of the Nile, as a short cut to Ethiopia where they came from.
Later on Thursday, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame spoke about the deportation of Mugesera from Canada, saying that it could have happened long ago but it’s a welcome development.

Kagame said the transfer should be a basis for more cases to be transferred to Rwanda.

“It has been long over due but its fine that we are having Mugesera tried in our courts. It should have happened long ago but the fact that we are having it right now is also a very good thing,”