![[Burundi] President Domitien Ndayizeye, who was sworn in on 30 April to lead Burundi’s second 18-month transitional period - 30 April 2003.](https://assets.thenewhumanitarian.org/s3fs-public/styles/responsive_large_2x/public/images/20035300.jpg.webp?itok=9-1SHHJE "President Ndayizeye is in Pretoria to discuss post election power-sharing arrangements")
The Burundi Supreme Court has adjourned the trial of seven alleged coup plotters after the defendants questioned the judges’ impartiality.
Seven people, including former President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Deputy President Alphonse Marie Kadege, are accused of plotting to topple President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government. All appeared in court at the first hearing after nearly four months in detention.
The defendants and their lawyers objected to two of the judges on the bench: the presiding judge, Grégoire Nkeshimana, and Sylvestre Nyandwi.
Lawyer Isidore Rufyikiri, also one of the defendants, told the court that they had no grudge against the two judges "but their presence on the bench will not guaranty us a fair trial. We want equity and judicial security", he added.
The defence lawyers do not consider that Nkeshimana could be impartial. He had already expressed his views on the culpability of the defendants in the court hearings in August and October when the court confirmed their detention.
Ndayizeye said that because Nkeshimana is married to the justice minister Clotilde Niragira, he "had some links with the government" and as such "impartiality is impossible".
Seven people were arrested in early August and accused of the coup plot. Soon after their arrest, the Burundi government confirmed that it had evidence of their culpability but has so far not presented it.
The prosecution has based its case on the declarations of Alain Mugabarabona, the chairman of a small political party, FNL Icanzo. But during the investigation, he told the court that he had been tortured by the intelligence service to name persons allegedly involved in the coup plot.
Former President Ndayizeye led the transition period before he handed over to President Nkurunziza in 2005.
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Seven people, including former President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Deputy President Alphonse Marie Kadege, are accused of plotting to topple President Pierre Nkurunziza’s government. All appeared in court at the first hearing after nearly four months in detention.
The defendants and their lawyers objected to two of the judges on the bench: the presiding judge, Grégoire Nkeshimana, and Sylvestre Nyandwi.
Lawyer Isidore Rufyikiri, also one of the defendants, told the court that they had no grudge against the two judges "but their presence on the bench will not guaranty us a fair trial. We want equity and judicial security", he added.
The defence lawyers do not consider that Nkeshimana could be impartial. He had already expressed his views on the culpability of the defendants in the court hearings in August and October when the court confirmed their detention.
Ndayizeye said that because Nkeshimana is married to the justice minister Clotilde Niragira, he "had some links with the government" and as such "impartiality is impossible".
Seven people were arrested in early August and accused of the coup plot. Soon after their arrest, the Burundi government confirmed that it had evidence of their culpability but has so far not presented it.
The prosecution has based its case on the declarations of Alain Mugabarabona, the chairman of a small political party, FNL Icanzo. But during the investigation, he told the court that he had been tortured by the intelligence service to name persons allegedly involved in the coup plot.
Former President Ndayizeye led the transition period before he handed over to President Nkurunziza in 2005.
jb/mw
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
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