Appeal case of Rwanda's ex-spy chief begins

Rwanda’s ex-spy chief,Pascal Simbikangwa who was first convicted in France in 2014 for his role on the genocide in Rwanda is once again facing justice in an appeal case in Paris, France.

The former officer of the Rwandan presidential guard is involved in the case following his alleged influence in the 1994 genocide which led to the death of at least 800,000 Rwandans-mostly Tutsis.

“Simbikangwa is the first accused in the Rwandan genocide to be judged in France, because his sentencing is not yet certain, I use the word accused. Therefore it is a particularly important case which must remain exemplary,” lawyer for the civil party, Barrister Patrick Baudouin said.

This trial is really important that defenders of the victims expect nothing less than the verdict of the first judgement.

“Obviously, we hope, I am not hiding anything. Even if it is not the role of the civil society to request, we hope for a conviction or even the confirmation of the judgement of the court of First Instance which we believe was handed down in strict respect of equity,” Barrister Baudouin added.

Pascal Simbikangwa was arrested in 2008 and sentenced in 2014 to 25 years in jail by a Paris court for genocide.

It is believed he strongly supported the propaganda messages of Radio Mille Collines which was used to broadcast hate messages against the Tutsi and moderate Hutu.

The former key intelligence officer of former Rwandan president Juvenal Habyarimana has however always refuted the accusations.