The trial
Ingabire returned to Rwanda in January 2010 - after 16 years in exile in The Netherlands - to take part in the presidential elections. She was arrested in October and since then she is waiting in jail for her trial.
Amongst several charges against her, Ingabire is suspected of causing divisionism, setting up of a terrorist organisation and collaborating with Hutu-rebels in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Her trial is scheduled for 20 June 2011. Ingabire’s husband and children still live in Zevenhuizen.
Amongst several charges against her, Ingabire is suspected of causing divisionism, setting up of a terrorist organisation and collaborating with Hutu-rebels in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Her trial is scheduled for 20 June 2011. Ingabire’s husband and children still live in Zevenhuizen.
By Anneke Verbraeken, Rotterdam
Will Ingabire’s belongings be sent to Rwanda or not? This question was raised during a session at the Court of Rotterdam on 20 May 2011. And will the fact that a Rwandan prosecutor has been through Ingabire’s documents in the Netherlands, have consequences for people mentioned in it?
British newspaper The Independent reported last week that Rwanda is preparing attacks against at least two members of the Rwandan opposition in the United Kingdom.
Unacceptable
In mid-December of 2010, Ingabire’s home in Zevenhuizen was searched upon Rwanda's request. Two computers and documents - amongst others - were confiscated. The house search provoked surprised reactions because, in the same week, the Dutch ministry of Foreign Affairs cut aid to Rwanda. The decision was based on the fact that the country lacks political freedom and freedom of speech.
According to the prosecutor’s spokesperson “inspection is normal procedure. An inspection does not mean that the documents are authorised to be distributed/copied.”
Dutch parliamentarian Joël Voordewind of the small Orthodox Christian party (Christen Unie), has questions over the issue in parliament. He did not know Rwanda was going to check on Ingabire's belongings. Now, he feels frustrated. "This goes beyong all rules. Unacceptable! The promises of the minister are not respected."
After the search in December, Dutch Foreign Minister Uri Rosenthal promised MP Voordewind that parliament would inform him if Ingabire's belongings are sent to Rwanda.
Warning
The recent threats against Rwandan opposition members in the United Kingdom show the urgency of this affair, Voordewind says. "These kind of threats could also take place in The Netherlands, after the search of Ingabire's house."
Ingabire’s husband Lin Muyizere also warned the Ministry of Justice that inspection by Rwanda could have big consequences for opposition members, in and outside the Netherlands. The Dutch public prosecutor has not reacted until now. The judge will decide before the 1st of June whether Ingabire's possession will be sent or not to Rwanda.
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