Pope John Paul II of the Roman Catholic Church on Wednesday sent a telegram of solidarity to Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro, who is on trial on genocide and related charges, saying he prayed for him to be freed soon. Prosecutor Edouard Kayihura on Tuesday requested the death penalty for Misago at Kigali Criminal Court, saying he was in the first category of those responsible for the 1994 genocide. “On hearing the painful news of your 13-month detention and of the death penalty request advanced against you, I feel the duty of renewing once again to you ... all my solidarity and that of the whole Church,” Reuters quoted the Pope’s telegram as saying. He said he was hopeful the bishop would be found innocent and could return to his diocese.
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