Suspects before court
The terror trial involving Lt Joel Mutabazi and his 15 co-accused continues today at Kanombe Military High Court, amidst prosecution’s fresh evidence against the accused.
The terror case, resumed yesterday, had been adjourned in February 2014 to allow the accused time to reconsider their rights of Defence before court.
Yesterday’s hearing continued with the Military Prosecution presenting charges against Lt Joel Mutabazi and Nshimiyimana Joseph alias Camarade, all charged with terrorism, formation of an armed group, spreading rumours with intent to incite the public to rise up against the State, murder, crimes against the State and forgery, among others.
Presenting fresh evidence before the court, prosecution exposed forged papers detailing Nshimiyimana’s Ugandan identity with pseudo names, intent to smoothly carryout his terror acts unidentified.
Court heard that Nshimiyimana Joseph changed his names and acquired a Ugandan Identity card in the name of David Nsubuga.
Prosecution told Court that the accused was arrested with false documents and his Rwandan identity card in the names of Joseph Nshimiyimana.
However, in a dramatic move, when Court asked Nshimiyimana to respond to these charges, he rejected all of them including his national identity card presented before the audience.
Refusing to respond to his new charges, the suspect argued that: “The Law is clear. Let us continue with the hearing. I am ready for any penalty.”
Prosecution presented before court documents of forged identity by the suspects
Military Prosecution went on to tell the Court how Nshimiyimana Joseph alias Camarade was recruited by FDLR in 2006 in Burundi and later in 2009 by Rwanda National Congress (RNC) in Kampala, Uganda.
Prosecution added that Jeremie Ngendahimana, a member of RNC later linked the accused with Lt Joel Mutabazi of the RNC.
Mission to Rwanda
Lt Joel Mutabazi and Nshimiyimana Joseph received a reconnaissance mission on Rwanda Defence Forces defensive positions. In a meeting chaired by Col Jean Marie Vianney of the FDLR held at Mamba Point in Kampala, it emerged that Nshimiyimana Joseph, Sgt Gafirita and Cpl Ndagije were given a mission of conducting grenade attacks in Kigali on the eve of Parliamentary elections.
Nshimiyimana, according to Prosecution, coordinated Kicukiro Market grenade attacks on 13 September and 14 September 2013. These attacks left two innocent people dead and 46 injured.
Lt Joel Mutabazi in his pleadings requested the Court to display the short text messages exchanged on whatsapp and skype between him and Nshimiyimana Joseph.
The trial continues today with the projection of the video tape by Prosecution whereby Nshimiyimana Joseph pleaded guilty to all charges against him.