Hirondelle News Agency (Lausanne)

Rwanda: Two Former Ministers Acquitted On Appeal

4 February 2013
Photo: United Nations
Rwandan children, refugees of the 1994 genocide (file photo).

Arusha — The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Monday acquitted two former Rwandan ministers whom the lower court had sentenced to 30 years in jail.

Justin Mugenzi was Minister of Trade during the 1994 genocide, while Prosper Mugiraneza was Public Service Minister. On September 30, 2011, both men were found guilty of conspiracy to commit genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide.

The reason: their presence at two key meetings in April 1994.

The Appeals Chamber presided by American judge Theodor Meron overturned their conviction and ordered their immediate release.

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Rwanda Shocked by Genocide Acquittals

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The decision to overturn the conviction of two former government ministers by the appeals chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has been met with dismay. Read more »