Rwandan jailed for UN murders

BRUSSELS – A court in Brussels sentenced a former Rwandan army officer to 20 years in prison yesterday for killing 10 Belgian UN peacekeepers and an ‘undetermined number’ of Rwandans in 1994.

Prosecutors had requested a life term for 55-year-old Bernard Ntuyahaga, who was found guilty on Wednesday of the killings, but the 12-member jury showed clemency because he had ‘saved the lives of some Tutsis, out of friendship’. “This is not a sentence devoid of hope,” said presiding judge Karin Gerard after it was handed down, but one ‘which could help foster reconciliation among Rwandan society’.Christine Dupont, a widow of one of the Belgian peacekeepers, appeared satisfied with the verdict and the sentence.”It’s a strong message today that says crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide cannot go unpunished,” she said.Ntuyahaga was convicted of ‘premeditated homicide’ for ordering that the 10 paratroopers be seized and taken to the ‘Camp Kigali’ military barracks where they were lynched.The soldiers had been escorting the then Rwandan prime minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana, an ethnic Tutsi.Nampa-AFP”This is not a sentence devoid of hope,” said presiding judge Karin Gerard after it was handed down, but one ‘which could help foster reconciliation among Rwandan society’.Christine Dupont, a widow of one of the Belgian peacekeepers, appeared satisfied with the verdict and the sentence.”It’s a strong message today that says crimes against humanity, crimes of genocide cannot go unpunished,” she said.Ntuyahaga was convicted of ‘premeditated homicide’ for ordering that the 10 paratroopers be seized and taken to the ‘Camp Kigali’ military barracks where they were lynched.The soldiers had been escorting the then Rwandan prime minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana, an ethnic Tutsi.Nampa-AFP