United Nations Radio

The International Criminal Court for Rwanda on Thursday convicted a former head of the Rwandan tea industry and sentenced him to 8 years in prison for his part in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

Michel Ba-ga-ra-ga-za

The United Nations court in Arusha, Tanzania found Michel Bagaragaza guilty of contributing substantially to the killings of more than 1,000 Tutsi who sought refuge at Kesho Hill and at Nyundo Cathedral.

It also found that he aided and abetted the planners and principal perpetrators of the killings.

They included military and civilian leaders and members of the Interahamwe militia and the Presidential Guard, military personnel, and the staff of Rubaya and Nyabitu Tea factories.

On 15 August 2005, Bagaragaza voluntarily surrendered to the Tribunal and made his first initial appearance the next day where he pleaded not guilty to each of the three counts in the initial indictment.

He has been given credit for the time he has spent in detention since his arrest on 15 August 2005.

Gail Walker, United Nations Radio
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