Ex-Rwandan Doctor sentenced to jail on 1994 genocide charges
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On Wednesday, Sosthene Munyemana, a former Rwandan doctor has been sentenced to 24-years jail by a court in Paris on charges of being complicit in the genocide of Tutsis in 1994 including human cruelty and involvement in formulating the acts.
The former gynecologist, aged sixty-eight was defended by lawyers who after the verdict stated that they would challenge the verdict. The verdict was declared of 24-years even after the pubic prosecutor appealed for 30-years as he contended that the “sum total” of his decisions showcased “the traits of genocide.”
The indiscriminate killings took place in France in 1994 where the numbers of the deceased ranged as high as 800,000 comprising of the minority Tutsis as well as some Hutus who attempted to shield the Tutsis, the massacre occurred over a period of 100 days, in accordance with UN figures.
Munyemana at that time was a close companion of Jean Kambanda who was the leader of the interim government that supervised the genocide, the doctor also allegedly signed “a motion of support” in April 1994. He further admitted to being part of night patrols that were formed to trace Tutsis, although he did say that his reason was to safeguard the people. However, witnesses put Sosthene at the inspection borders put up in the city and stated that he overlooked the workings, as stated by the prosecutors.
Sosthene is the sixth accused to stand trial since 2014 in France which previously consisted of an ex-spy leader, former hotel driver and two former mayors.
