Kigali, RWANDA
Rwanda Bar Association
has said it is ready to offer pro bono services to former Rwanda National
Congress (RNC) combatants whose pre-trial appearance at the Military Tribunal
in Nyamirambo was yesterday adjourned to later this month.
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| Some of the captured RNC combatants on arrival at Military Tribunal in Nyamirambo on Wednesday |
The Association
president, Julien-Gustave Kavaruganda, made the pledge in response to
Thursday’s recommendation by the Military Tribunal advising that the 25
suspects acquire legal representation before standing trial.
The suspects had
returned to court following their arraignment on Wednesday during which each of
them was slapped with four charges, of formation of and/or joining an irregular
armed group, conspiracy against an established Government, maintaining
relations with a foreign government with intent to wage a war, and formation of
and/or joining a criminal association.
Speaking to reporters on
Thursday, Kavaruganda said that offering voluntary legal service to the
indigent (those who cannot afford legal fees) is part of the Association’s way
of giving back to society.
“It is normal for us to receive such people and
provide them with services if they cannot afford to pay for legal
representation,” he said.
He added: “Not too long ago, we had the same
scenario in a terrorism case where more than 30 people requested and received
legal aid from us,” he said.
For one to be considered for pro bono service
they need to put in a request.
In cases like this, Kavaruganda said, they look
at whether the suspects have the same interests and assign 10-15 lawyers each
taking on about two clients.
The choice of lawyers is determined by experience,
the potential conflict of interest, and the number of clients, he added.
“Our pro bono committee will be working on that
to scrutinise case by case. We have to make sure that there is no conflict of
interest. If they are not accusing each other or they are pleading guilty, they
can be a group with one or two representatives,” he said.
Commenting on the court’s decision to adjourn
the hearing to October 14 to give the suspects an opportunity to seek pro bono
services before the trial could continue, Kavaruganda said the one week offered
by the court is sufficient.
“It’s not too short a period for us to appoint
the lawyers. Depending on the number of people or the nature of the cases, each
lawyer may decide on their own if they are ready to go straight to court or if
they need more time,” he said.
According to military prosecution, all the
suspects were captured during a military offensive by Congolese armed forces as
part of the ongoing operations against the illegal armed groups in eastern DR
Congo.
They were later extradited to Rwanda.
The suspects were all members of RNC and
operated under an umbrella outfit known as ‘P5’, which brings together RNC,
FDLR, and several other armed groups. Four of the suspects are Burundians,
three are Ugandans, while one is a Malawian national.
During their arraignment on Wednesday, the
court heard that most of them had been recruited into RNC from Uganda or
Burundi and received arms and logistical support from officials in the two
countries before proceeding to RNC bases in Congolese jungles.
The group, which includes a retired major that
previously served in the Rwanda Defence Force, was part of RNC combatants whose
base in South Kivu was overrun by Congolese armed forces in June. Many
militants died in the operation.
Congolese forces have in recent months stepped
up operations against armed groups in the country’s east and recently killed
“Lt Gen” Sylvester Mudacumura, the commander of genocidal FDLR outfit. - Africa
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