JURIST - Paper Chase: Former Rwanda official Ntawukulilyayo sentenced to 25 years for 1994 genocide

[JURIST] Former Rwandan regional administrator Dominique Ntawukulilyayo was sentenced [press release] by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) [official website] Tuesday to 25 years in prison for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide [BBC backgrounder; JURIST news archive]. Ntawukulilyayo, the former sub-prefect of the southern district of Gisagara, was indicted [text, PDF; case materials] in 2005 on charges of genocide, complicity in genocide and public incitement to commit genocide for falsely promising protection to ethnic minority Tutsi refugees. Ntawukulilyayo reportedly sent the refugees to Kabuye Hill, then transported soldiers to the site to slaughter the refugees upon their arrival. ICTR Trial Chamber III found him guilty of genocide, acquitting him of complicity and incitement charges.

The ICTR continues to indict suspects for crimes occurring during the 1994 Rwandan conflict between Hutus and Tutsis in which approximately 800,000 people, primarily Tutsis, died. Last month, Rwandan pastor Jean-Bosco Uwinkindi [Hague Justice profile; case materials] pled not guilty [JURIST report] to multiple similar genocide charges before the ICTR. Last October, Ugandan officials apprehended [JURIST report] another highly-sought suspect, former Hutu intelligence chief Idelphonse Nizeyimana [BBC profile; case materials]. Nizeyimana, who pled not guilty [JURIST report] to four genocide counts [indictment, PDF], still awaits trial. Nizeyimana was one of four twop accused sought by the ICTR in order to complete its mission. In June, UN Security Council [official website] extended the terms [press release] of ICTR trial judges to December 31, 2011, and appellate judges to December 31, 2012. In March 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon pledged his ongoing support [JURIST report] for the ICTR and stressed that the international community must continue to combat genocide.