KIGALI - A former Rwandan military officer who was sent home from
Uganda despite having refugee status was put on trial on Tuesday on
charges of trying to overthrow the state.
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| A member of the Rwanda National Congress opposition party holds a picture and sketches of Rwandan President Paul Kagame portrayed as a Nazi leader and reading "war criminal" during a demonstration outside the Rwandan embassy in Pretoria on January 9, 2014 Picture: AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER JOE |
Joel Mutabazi, a former member of the presidential guard protecting
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, fled the country in 2011 but was
extradited by Ugandan authorities last year.
Uganda, which has close relations with Rwanda, insisted it had sent him home "by mistake".
Mutabazi was indicted in mid-November on charges of "terrorism,
setting up an armed group, spreading rumours with the intention of
inciting the public to rise up against the state, murder, crimes against
the state and illegal possession of a firearm".
The court did not give details of Mutabazi's alleged crimes, but
the police have accused him of being linked to a string of grenade
attacks carried out in Rwanda.
On Tuesday Mutabazi pleaded not guilty, said his trial was illegal and that his life was in danger.
"My home is in Uganda, where I was kidnapped. I'm a refugee who
fled Rwanda and I don't understand how a refugee can be tried in a town
that he fled," Mutabazi said.
Human Rights Watch and exiled Rwandan groups opposed to strongman Kagame criticised Mutabazi's transfer.
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