Mutabazi trial: FDLR terror suspect maintains silence in court

Joseph Nshyimyimana with his lawyer

Joseph Nshimiyimana, an FDLR terror suspect co-accused with Lt Joel Mutabazi, yesterday surprised military court Judges when he declined to speak during his trial.

The trial of Lt Joel Mutabazi, accused of treason and terrorism along with 15 others resumed yesterday at the Military High Court in Kanombe.

While being questioned by Judges on crimes against him, Nshimiyimana instead maintained silence. It took Judges several minutes trying to convince him to speak but the suspect stood by his decision by refusing to respond to some of the questions asked by Judges.

Nshimiyimana, a member of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), is accused, among other crimes, of coordinating grenade attack plots in Kigali, especially two grenade explosions that claimed one person and injured 14 others in Kicukiro market.

The suspect is allegedly accused of coordinating these grenade attacks under the command of Lt Joel Mutabazi.

Appearing before the Military High Court, Nshimiyimana who had initially pleaded guilty to all the charges took a dramatic move to plead not guilty to all of them.

“I am not guilty of anything; I did not commit any crime and I won’t stand trial until I get a clear explanation of why I am here,” Nshimiyimana surprisingly told court.

Among other crimes, Nshimiyimana is also charged with spreading rumours with intent to incite the public to rise up against the state, illegal possession of a firearm, terrorism, formation of an armed group, murder and crimes against the state.

Lawyer surprised by his client’s change of mind

Nshimiyimana’s lawyer, Herbert Rubasha, told court that he was shocked by his client’s hasty refusal to stand trial and requested the court to give him more time to speak to his client.

However, Nshimiyimana went on with surprises telling his lawyer to never waste time speaking to him.

“There is nothing you will do to make me speak. With or without a lawyer, I will not respond to the charges against me.”

New video surfaces against Mutabazi

In the meantime, court proceeded with the case of Lt Joel Mutabazi in which a video was displayed showing how Mutabazi personally pleaded guilty of stage managing his shooting in Uganda.

According to prosecutors, the video was captured during the interrogation of Lt Mutabazi.

The video shows Mutabazi narrating in detail how he acquired the gun, how he used it and disposed it off. Mutabazi has also maintained silence in court and refused to stand trial.

Mutabazi is charged with attempt to harm the person of the President, deserting the military, 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 illegal possession of a firearm.