Father Eric Iraguha, 40, the Headmaster of EAV Mayaga, and Jean-Baptiste Mutabazi, a 47-year old teacher at this school in Nyanza District, are being sued by court over genocide denial after being arrested by Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).
Thierry Murangira, RIB Spokesperson told The New Times, on Monday, May 30 that the suspects were recently arrested and their case was filed to prosecution which has also taken it to court.
“They are accused of denying 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. They allegedly committed this crime on April 27, 2022 when students and teachers in EAV Mayaga were gathering at Nyamiyaga parish during a commemoration event,” he explained.
He said that Mutabazi, who was Master of Ceremony (MC), opened the event saying, ‘We are gathered to remember genocide against Rwandans.’ Priest Iraguha, during his speech, also said that genocide was committed against Rwandans, saying he has evidence.
Genocide denial is punished by article 5 of the law Number 59/2018 of 22/8/2028 regarding genocide ideology and related crimes.
Upon conviction, the convict is sentenced to not less than five years in prison and not more than seven years, as well as a fine of not less than Rwf500,000 and not more than Rwf1 million.
