Etienne Nzabonimana, formerly a small businessman in Kirwa, Rwanda, was convicted in Belgium on June 29, 2005 for his role in the Rwandan genocide of 1994. Specifically, eyewitnesses argued that he was a leader of the Kibungo Club, which was allegedly planning the genocide in advance, and that he had overseen certain massacres in the Kibungo region. Prosecutors argued that he and his half-brother, Samuel Ndashyikirwa, provided vehicles to Rwandan soldiers along with weapons and beer. Found guilty of aiding Hutu militias in killing 50,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus, he will serve 12 years in prison, while his half-brother will serve ten. A small business may be defined as a business with a small number of employees. ... June 29 is the 180th day of the year (181st in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 185 days remaining. ... 2005 is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar and is the current year. ... The skulls of victims show gashes and signs of violence The Rwandan genocide was the organized slaughter of roughly one million ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus during a timespan of 100 days in 1994. ... 1994 was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International year of the Family. ... A south-eastern province of Rwanda known for its production of bananas. ... Vehicles are non-living means of transport. ... The bayonet, still used in war as both knife and spearpoint. ... A typical mug of lager beer, showing the golden colour of the beer and the foamy head floating on top. ... Hutu is the name given to one of the three ethnic groups occupying Burundi and Rwanda. ... The Tutsi are one of three native peoples of the nations of Rwanda and Burundi in central Africa: the other two being the Twa and the Hutu. ... Hutu is the name given to one of the three ethnic groups occupying Burundi and Rwanda. ...
Sources
Trial Watch: Etienne Nzabonimana
BBC News, "Two Rwandans guilty over genocide." June 29, 2005
According to the indictment, EtienneNzabonimana was a man of substantial means and social prestige who had close relationships with the local authorities, especially with Colonel Rwagafilita and the Member of Parliament, Mutabaruka, both of whom were suspected of being the organisers of, and the main force behind, the massacres throughout the prefecture.
According to witnesses, EtienneNzabonimana, a member of the MRND, was one of the leaders of the Kibungo Club which is reported to have already made preparations months before the genocide, for the extermination of the Tutsis and their Hutu opponents.
EtienneNzabonimana has denied any implication whatsoever in the genocide, asserting that he had been at home behind closed doors until 22 April and had had no knowledge of the killings until after he had fled Rwanda.
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