The public prosecutor's office requested Wednesday, December 15, 15 years in prison against a Franco-Rwandan accused of complicity in genocide and of complicity in crimes against humanity, during the third trial in France linked to the genocide of the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994.
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Claude Muhayimana "
contributed to the genocide as driver and transporter of the killers over a very long period of three months
", declared the public prosecutor, considering that he was an "
actor of the genocide
", a "
link
" and a "
Indispensable cog in the device of this hunt for Tutsi to the last
".
60-year-old Franco-Rwandan of Hutu origin, Claude Muhayimana has been on trial since November 22 in Paris for “
complicity
” in genocide and crimes against humanity during the genocide targeting the Tutsi minority, orchestrated by the extremist Hutu regime.
One of the worst tragedies of the 20th century which left more than 800,000 dead in appalling conditions, from April to July 1994.
An "opportunist man"
The accused, described by the defense as an "
ordinary man
", has lived in France for years and is a roadmender in Rouen (north-west).
The verdict is expected Thursday, after defense pleadings Wednesday afternoon.
While he was the driver of a guesthouse in Kibuye (western Rwanda) in 1994, Mr. Muhayimana is accused of having “
knowingly helped and assisted
”, between April and July, the gendarmes and militiamen by ensuring their safety. transport to massacre sites, particularly in the regions of Kibuye (72,000 estimated victims) and Bisesero (50,000 estimated victims).
At the end of nearly four weeks of trial and long hearings of some fifty witnesses, many of whom came especially from Rwanda, the prosecution asked the jurors of the Assize Court "
not to allow
" Claude Muyahimana "
to escape his responsibilities
" in the crimes of which he is accused "
and to sentence him to a 15-year prison sentence
". "
We ask you to find him guilty
" of being an accomplice in genocide and an accomplice in crimes against humanity for the massacres of the hills of Kibuye, Gitwa, Bisesero and the school of Nyamishaba, declared the public prosecutor.
The prosecution asked jurors to partially acquit him for the massacres in the Kizenga hills.
Claude Muhayimana is an "
opportunist man who adapts to chaotic circumstances, he has adapted to the genocide by putting himself at the service of the genocidaires
", the accusation asserted.
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This is the third trial in France linked to the genocide of the Tutsi, but it is the first time that an “
ordinary
”
citizen
has been tried.
The other two concerned a former army captain and two Rwandan burgomasters.
These defendants were tried in France because the highest judicial body in this country, the Court of Cassation, has constantly opposed the extraditions to Rwanda of Rwandans suspected of having taken part in the genocide, under the principle of non- retroactivity of the law.
France is committed to trying these alleged genocidaires on its soil.
