Primary Rwandan Genocide Suspect Pleads Not Guilty

By Jonathan Ambaye
Impunity Watch Reporter, Africa Desk

ARUSHA, Tanzania– On Wednesday, October 14 2009, one of the primary suspects in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide pleaded not guilty to war crime charges. The suspect, Idelphonse Nizeyimana was a former intelligence chief at the time of the genocide in which over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), where Nizeyimana  will be tried, is aiming to finish its work by the end of next year. Since 1997 the court has convicted forty people for crimes connected with genocide. The tribunal said that there are eleven fugitives that they are still trying to find. Martin Ngoga, Rwanda’s prosecutor general said, “the ICTR has done a commendable job in bringing to justice those most responsbible for the genocide; those who were in positions of leadership and most importantly, those who were beyond the reach of our jurisdiction.”

Nizeyimana was one of the most sought after suspects in the Rwandan genocide. He had been a fugitive for the last fifteen years, with a five million dollar bounty on his head when he was detained in Uganda earlier this month. Nizeyimana acted as an army captain and as head of intelligence and military operations in the country, during and prior to the genocide taking place. According to prosecutors Nizeyimana gave “clear signals” condoning the attacks against Tutsis. It is further alleged that Nizeyimana not only gave orders to kill Tutsis but in some instances he also participated in the killings directly.

Some of the charges brought against Nizeyimana include an allegation that he participated in a swearing in ceremony of a regional governor that saw the new Rwandan President call on the people of the region to begin slaughtering Tutsis.  Prosecutors also allege that one of Nizeyimana’s units carried out the killing of the Queen Rosalie Gicanda, who was a historic and symbolic figure to many Rwandans.

For more information please see:

Al Jazeera – Rwanda Suspect Pleads Guilty – 14 October, 2009

AP – Key Rwandan Genocide Suspect Pleads Not Guilty – 14 October, 2009

BBC – Rwanda Queen-Killing Suspect Held – 6 October, 2009

BBC – Profile: Idelphonse Nizeyimana – 6 October 2009

Bloomberg – Rwandan Genocide Suspect Pleads Not Guilty to Charges – 14 October, 2009

Iran Sentences Three Election Protesters to Death

By Bobby Rajabi
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

TEHRAN, Iran – Fallout from Iran’s June election continues as the Islamic Republic sentenced three election protesters to death. The Iranian Students News Agency quoted a member of Tehran’s prosecutor’s office saying that the three protesters are to be hanged and are considered to be part of terrorist organizations according to the Iranian government. The Iranian Students News Agency reported on October 10 that the judgments against the unnamed detainees must be confirmed by a higher court.

Justice Ministry official Zahed Bashiri Rad is quoted as saying that the three protesters were convicted for maintaining ties to the banned monarchist group Kingdom Assembly of Iran and to the People’s Mujahedeen. Both of these groups advocate for the overthrowing of the Islamic Republic. The prosecutors claim that the accused admitted to spying, but human rights groups allege that these confessions came after torture was used.

While the names of the three condemned Iranians have not been confirmed, Rad agreed to give the initials of the convicts. Rad explained that “MZ and AP were convicted for ties with the Kingdom Assembly of Iran and NA for ties with the Monafeghin (People’s Mujahedeen).” A reformist website claimed that one of individuals to be put to death is an opposition activist named Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani.

Amnesty International released a statement urging Iran to rescind Zamani’s death sentence, which was imposed on October 8. The charges against Zamani include “enmity against God” and conspiring against national security. Zamani was also accused of illegally traveling to Iraq for an alleged meeting with a member of the U.S. military. Amnesty International USA Executive Director, Larry Cox, explained that “Zamani’s trial was a mockery of justice,” and encouraged Iran to withdraw the death sentence.

This marks the first time that an announcement was given that any of the hundreds of individuals arrested for protesting following the June 12 presidential election received death sentences. The June election was followed by mass street protests over alleged vote-rigging. Iranian authorities alleged that the protesters were sponsored by hostile nations. The opposition claims that sixty nine people died and thousands were arrested. Over one hundred prominent opposition leaders remain on trial for their role in the protests.

For more information, please see:

Guardian – Iran Sentences 3 Election Protesters To Death – 11 October 2009

Al Jazeera – Death Sentences For Iran Protesters – 10 October 2009

New York Times – Tehran Plans To Execute 3 Protesters Of Election – 10 October 2009

UPI – 3 Iran Protesters Given Death Sentences – 10 October 2009

Belarusian Laborer Alleges He Was Tortured Into Murder Confession

By David Sophrin
Impunity Watch Reporter, Europe

TATARYA VILLAGE, Belarus – A Belarusian laborer who claims that he was tortured into confessing to a murder is facing a looming state execution.  Vasily Yusepchuk was convicted on June 29 by the Brest Regional Court for allegedly murdering six elderly woman.  The deadline for staying the execution of Yusepchuk passed on Tuesday, as the Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko did not grant a pardon to Yusepchuk.

The use of capital punishment has been outlawed in every European nation other than Belarus.  And in recent years Belarus has decreased its use of the practice.  In 2008 only 4 people were executed by the state and only two so far this year.  Critics of Yusepchuk’s conviction, including the Council of Europe, have pointed out that Belarusian judges have been pressured in the past to sentence to death defendants against whom there was questionable evidence.

“We are deeply concerned that Vasily Yusepchuk…may face imminent execution after the Belarus Supreme Court has rejected his appeal against the death penalty.”

The calls from human rights organizations to pardon Yusepchuk comes at the time when the Belarusian President has been attempting to court favor with the west.

Medical experts for Yusepchuk have stated that the confession that Yusepchuk gave to police was a result of torture.  Amnesty International has confirmed that Yusepchuk was beaten twice will being detained prior to trial.  Additionally, other international human rights organizations have noted that Yusepchuk is illiterate and “under torture…could have confessed to anything.”

Yusepchuk’s mother believes that her son’s conviction came about as a result of his Gypsy ethnicity, also known as Roma.

Growing outcry in the face of the execution has surfaced in a number of European cities.  Protesters gathered outside of the Belarus embassy in Moscow on Thursday to protest Yusepchuk upcoming execution, as well as the continued use of the death penalty by Russia’s western neighbor.

For more information, please see:

CBS NEWS – Gypsy Laborer Face Execution In Belarus – 13 October 2009

THE OLYMPIAN – Gypsy laborer faces execution in Belarus – 13 October 2009

WORLD AP – Gypsy laborer faces execution in Belarus – 13 October 2009

Yemeni Government Accuses Rebels of Using Civilians as Human Shields

By Ahmad Shihadah

Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East

SA’NA, Yemen – As intense fighting continues in northern Yemen, local government officials have accused al-Huthi rebels of using civilians as human shields.

The government urged people living in the area to flee to refugee camps set up throughout the area. The Yemeni government has set up four refugee camps.  However, SABA, Yemen’s official news agency, reported that the pathways to these safe havens have been dangerous due to escalations in the conflict.  The Supreme Security Council (SSC), which supervises the 63-day war, responded to repeated calls for safe corridors by attempting securing passage to the respective camps.

In past reports, Human Rights Watch (HRW) has said that both the rebels and government forces have endangered civilians during the fighting. In a July report, HRW said researchers found “allegations of serious law of war violations by both sides, including the use of children under 18 in combat, use of anti-personnel land mines in civilian areas, and taking civilians hostage.”

The current accusations by the Yemeni government echo the claims made by the president Ali Abdullah Saleh that rebels have been using civilians as human shields and killing civilians.   Rebel leader Abdul-Malik al-Huthi responded by dismissing demands that the rebels leaving their mountain hideouts as this would amount to them leaving their lands. Furthermore, the rebels say they want autonomy and accuse Saleh of despotism and corruption in a drive to in power.  They also accuse him of introducing Sunni fundamentalism via his relationship with Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

Military developments as of October 11 have been relatively quiet.  However, there have been air strikes on the rebels’ fortifications and supply movements, according to sources from the ground. The Ministry of Defense also reported that about 20 rebels were killed in different places in the two main frontlines of Harf Sufyan and al-Malahaid.

For more information please see:

CNN – Yemen Government: Rebels Use Civilians As Human Shields – 13 October 2009

Yemen Observer – Yemen Accuses Al-Houthi Rebels of Using Civilians as Human Shields – 13 October  2009

Reuters – Yemen President Says Rebels Use “Human Shields” – 20 September 2009

Inquest Returns Open Verdict in Bolivian Shooting Conspiracy

By Sovereign Hager

Impunity Watch Reporter, South America

SANTA CRUZ, Bolivia – An inquest into the shooting death of Irishman Michael Dwyer, Eduardo Rozsa Flores, and Arpad Magyarosi by Bolivian police returned an open verdict this week. Dwyer, Flores, and Magyarosi were killed in a raid on a hotel on April 16 and are suspected to have links to a far-right group thought to be responsible for attacks on indigenous Bolivians, including a plot to kill Bolivian president, Evo Morales.

A lawyer for the Dwyer family has called the Bolivian police reporting on the raid and nature of the deaths into question.  The Bolivian police initially reported that the men died in a shoot out and that Dwyer was shot six times.  However, the an autopsy performed in Ireland revealed that Dwyer was shot just once in the heart. The inquest heard reports that the men were asleep when the shooting took place. The Irish government has requested an international investigation into the deaths.

Bolivia’s ambassador to the UK, Beatriz Souviron said told the inquest that Dwyer’s plain ticket to Bolivia was paid for by a businessman who was subsequently arrested for being a part of a separatist terrorist movement.  According to Souviron, the three men were under investigation for a bomb attack at the home of a Bolivian cardinal and the discovery of a cache of arms and explosives.

Dwyer reportedly went to Bolivia to take classes in personal security and protection, but decided to stay after the classes ended because he found work.  Rozsa and Magyarosi are Bolivian citizens of Hungarian and Romanian decent. Rozsa holds dual citizenship with Croatia and Magyarosi holds dual citizenship with Hungary.

Dyer’s parents believe that he came under the influence of Rozca after meeting his supporters while doing security work in Ireland.Flores, a known anti-semite, joined Croatian forces when war broke out in the former Yugoslavia. He led an armed group that attracted many foreign right-wing elements.

In an interview in April of 2009, Flores said he had been called to Bolivia to to set up a militia to protect Santa Cruz. He claimed to be ready to proclaim independence and create a new country.

Evo Morales commented that he would be happy for a “transparent” investigation to take place.

For more information, please see:

The Guardian – Irishman Michael Dwyer Killed in Bolivia was Linked to Bomb Attack, Inquest Told – 14 October 2009

Belfast Telegraph – Bolivia to Allow Probe into the Death Riddle of Shot Irishman – 14 October 2009

Irish Times – Parents Learned of Dwyer’s Death from Journalists – 14 October 2009

Irish Times – Dwyer Inquest Returns Open Verdict – 13 October 2009