Court Rwanda announces verdict on jailed journalists

Friday 17 February 2012
Rwanda 98 days from now

Published: 7 Feb 2012 | By Anne and 1 other | Last updated: 10 Feb 2012

Rwanda's Supreme Court announces its verdict in the appeal of journalists Agnes Uwimana Nkusi and Saidati Mukakibibi.

Nkusi is serving a jail term of seventeen years for defamation, causing divisions and denying Rwanda's genocide of 1994. Mukakibibi is in jail for seven years because of inciting civil disobedience.

Various defense lawyers argued that the court had failed in their application of the law, because the burden of proof was placed on the defendants while not giving due priority to the fundamental rights of expression. Moreover, they disputed the length of the prison sentences handed to the journalists in early 2011.

The charges originate from articles published last year criticizing land reforms and the local grass-roots courts - known as gacaca - trying genocide suspects.

Human rights observers are watching the case closely because it could potentially have immense implications for the media freedom in Rwanda.

Event Details

Created by Anne
on Tue 7 Feb 2012

Last modified by X11
on Fri 10 Feb 2012

View version history

Location: Rwanda
Date: Friday 17 February 2012 Duration 1 day(s)
Planning: confirmed
Ended: 97 days ago

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