RWANDA: Death of Rwandan President Habyarimana, two French investigating judges in Kigali

By Mukamurigo adapted from Le Prophete Rwanda
Death of Rwandan President Habyarimana, two French investigating judges in KigaliThe genocide in Rwanda took place following the assassination of President Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, pictured here in 1991.
RFI / Christine Muratet
French judges Trévidic Marc and Nathalie Poux charge of the investigation into the attack against the plane of President Habyarimana in 1994, arriving on 11 September in the Rwandan capital to try to determine the conditions under which the Falcon 50 that was carrying the presidents Rwanda and Burundi was shot down while preparing to land at Kigali on April 6. The judges enjoy the warming of diplomatic relations between Paris and Kigali.
This is a first: two French judges will be able to investigate in Kigali at the scene of the attack against the plane of President Juvenal Habyarimana. An attack described as the trigger for the genocide of April 1994.


As acknowledged by counsel for the plaintiff, such a mission could not have taken place at the time of Judge Bruguière. The latter charge until 2007 of this highly sensitive issue had put his suspicions on the RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front) of President Kagame. In 2006, he issued arrest warrants against people close to the Rwandan government and recommend prosecution against President Kagame for his "suspected involvement" in the attack. Result Kigali broke off diplomatic relations with France and against an open-inquiry that involves Paris for "its support for the genocidal regime."
Since then, new judges over the case and the relations between the two countries have warmed. President Sarkozy visited Rwanda in February and a French military attaché has been named in Kigali. It is in this context that the mission of mutual legal assistance takes place today.
For France's ambassador in Kigali, the issue seems to make a fresh start. On the Rwandan side is prepared to help French judges in their work on site. Two French judges are considering a reconstruction of the crash conditions of the unit. They are accompanied by a team of experts who will try to establish the path of the Falcon 50, the nature of the projectiles or the location of shooters. Their report is expected in March 2011.
The civil party lawyers and Rose Kabuye whom an international arrest warrant issued by French judges will also travel.tags: France - Justice - Rwanda