France: At the trial of a former Rwandan gendarme, a witness evokes the massacre of the hill of Nyabubare
The trial of Philippe Hategekimana, naturalized under the name of Philippe Manier, continues before the Paris Assize Court. This former chief warrant officer of the Nyanza gendarmerie, in the Butare prefecture, in southern Rwanda, is being prosecuted for genocide and crimes against humanity. In this 4th week of trial, the court focuses mainly on his alleged participation in the Nyabubare Hill massacre on April 23, 1994, which left several hundred dead. Accusations he disputes. Record of hearing.
Former Rwandan gendarme Philippe Hategekimana, naturalized French in 2005, is accused of genocide and crimes against humanity. AFP - BENOIT PEYRUCQ
Text by: Laura Martel
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He appears on screen from Kigali, in the pink outfit of the detainees. Sentenced to 24 years in prison for his participation in the genocide, Israel Dusingizimana is a key witness for the prosecution. After several interruptions related to connection problems, this former local elected official comes to the heart of his testimony: he knew well the chief warrant officer of the gendarmerie nicknamed "Biguma" and tells.
On April 23, he was at the Nyanza gendarmerie when the captain asked "Biguma" to take weapons, including a mortar, to attack the Tutsi refugees on Nyabubare hill. He was there, when on the way, "Biguma" gave the order to execute six people, including a burgomaster who resisted the genocide. He then heard him harangue the population and urge them to "kill all these Tutsis".
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Biguma stayed next to the mortar that was throwing projectiles at the hill. People were trying to flee, but the population rushed on them with traditional weapons and they started cutting up, there are at least 300 dead," he said. But suddenly, the witness, diabetic, feels unwell and must be evacuated to the hospital. At the end of the afternoon, the verdict falls: he needs rest, it will be necessary to continue his hearing later.
The suspense therefore remains on the scope of his testimony. First, since neither the prosecution nor the defense were able to question him. But above all because the court did not have time to ask him if this fatal "Biguma" and the accused are indeed one and the same person. A crucial point, since the defense claims that "Biguma" is a common nickname and that Philippe Manier is the victim of a mistaken identity.
>> READ ALSO: A former Rwandan gendarme before the French justice for genocide and crimes against humanity
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