By Our
Reporter, Kigali RWANDA
The
Rwandan government on Wednesday reacted to a petition from some British
lawmakers urging President Paul Kagame to release two former military officers
from prison.
In a letter signed by the Minister of justice /
Attorney General, Busingye Johnston; for a case that was still in the courts,
the request for release if entertained would signal executive interference in
matters of an independent judiciary.
The letter addressed to Baroness D’Souza and
copied to the other petitioners read in part: “As a matter of Rwandan law,
there are limited circumstances in which the government can intervene in a
criminal case.
“Unless and until invited to do so in accordance with the relevant laws and
procedures, it would be inappropriate for the executive to comment on any
pending case, seek to influence the outcome or intervene as proposed in your
letter. Any such action will constitute undue interference in an independent
judicial process.
It further added that the detainees were
entitled to pursue the option of clemency as per relevant laws. The two, Frank
Rusagara – who was once a defence attaché to the UK – and Tom Byabagamba, were
arrested five years ago.
A military court sentenced them to 20 and 21
years in prison respectively on charges of spreading rumours and tarnishing the
image of Rwanda and its government.
The UK lawmakers had described the sentences as
disproportionate and asked that with deteriorating health of the duo, President
Kagame should release them on compassionate grounds. - Africa
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