Genocide suspect’s appeal for freedom rejected by ICTR

The appeals chamber of the ICTR has rejected an appeal by genocide suspect Laurent Semanza seeking to have his arrest and detention declared null and void on the grounds of illegality, the Hirondelle news agency reported. It said Semanza, the former mayor of Bicumbi commune in Kigali rural prefecture, was arrested and detained in circumstances similar to those of fellow suspect, Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza whose release was initially ordered by the appeals chamber. New evidence eventually resulted in the order being overturned. In Semanza’s case, the judges ruled that while his rights had been violated while in detention, he could not be freed on the grounds of his prolonged pre-trial detention in Cameroon and would instead be entitled to reparations at the end of his trial. ICTR spokesman Kingsley Moghalu said the decision reflected the “gravity of the charges” against Semanza, who is charged with 14 counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. Meanwhile, the appeals chamber will hear an appeal lodged by former Rwandan premier Jean Kambanda against his sentence later this month. Between 27-30 June, the chamber will consider Kambanda’s request to rescind his guilty plea and undergo trial. Kambanda pleaded guilty in May 1998 to six counts of genocide-related charges, but sought to change his plea after he was sentenced to life imprisonment. Kambanda alleges that his defence lawyer at the time did little to secure his rights, Hirondelle reported.