Archbishop Misago acquitted

The bishop of Gikongoro, Augustin Misago, was acquitted by the Kigali court of first instance on Thursday on genocide charges, the Hirondelle news agency reported. The presiding judge ruled that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Misago committed the alleged crimes, and ordered the archbishop’s immediate release. Prosecutors had been asking for the death penalty. The archbishop had been held in detention since April 1999. Following his release, Misago told the Vatican news agency FIDES he would go to Rome to personally thank the Pope for his support. The agency described him as ill, tired, and out of breath when he tried to speak. “Fourteen months in prison is difficult for an innocent man,” Misago told the news agency by telephone. However, he said he hoped he would be able to return to his diocese next week. He added that he hoped his experience would serve the cause of peace and reconciliation in Rwanda, and he thanked the judges for their “impartiality and courage”. Rwandan Prosecutor General Gerald Gahima expressed disappointment over the verdict but said “we accept the court’s decision”. “This case shows that the justice system in this country works contrary to what outsiders think,” he told IRIN. He however added that the prosecution would appeal against the decision. The Rwanda News Agency quoted political analysts as saying a reason for the decision may be the government’s desire to improve relations with the Catholic church.