Kizito Mihigo pleads guilty as co-accused deny treason
What you need to know:
Mihigo, a genocide survivor and hitherto a strong proponent of unity and reconciliation, said that he was misguided by negative groups that sought to recruit him to their ranks with plans of plotting against the government and masterminding terror attacks.
The singer is accused of complicity in creating a terror group to detonate grenades in the capital Kigali, conspiracy to threaten state security and threatening an established government as well as conspiracy to murder.
His defence maintains that if well assessed, the evidence presented by prosecution, which included Skype and Whatsapp messages, may not be enough to conclude that Mihigo had any criminal intent.
Popular Rwandan singer Kizito Mihigo pleaded guilty in a case in which he and three others are accused of among other things, conspiracy to harm President Paul Kagame.
But his co-accused, Cassien Ntamuhanga, a journalist with Amazing Grace Radio, Jean-Paul Dukuzumuremyi, a demobilised soldier, and Agnès Niyibizi denied the charges.
Kizito Mihigo, an erstwhile popular musician with close links to the government and ruling party Rwanda Patriotic Front is accused of conspiracy to murder or harm President Paul Kagame and other top government officials and forming alliances with opposition and terrorist groups.
A subdued Mr Mihigo, who is facing four charges, told court on Thursday that he is “remorseful and regrets” having decided to work against a government that supported him in many ways.
Mr Mihigo, a genocide survivor and hitherto a strong proponent of unity and reconciliation, said that he was misguided by negative groups that sought to recruit him to their ranks with plans of plotting against the government and masterminding terror attacks.
His arrest in April and alleged links to Rwanda National Congress (RNC) and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) came as a surprise to many who saw him as a close ally of the government and RPF.
Kizito Mihigo performed the national anthem on many official functions presided over by President Kagame and also composed a song for the ruling RPF party alongside his close to a dozen unity and reconciliation songs.
The singer is accused of complicity in creating a terror group to detonate grenades in the capital Kigali, conspiracy to threaten state security and threatening an established government as well as conspiracy to murder.
“I stand before this court to declare that I am guilty and I seek for forgiveness like I have done from day one,” Mr Mihigo said.
Despite pleading guilty to all charges, Mr Mihigo’s lawyers intervened and said that their client does not accept culpability and he was never a recorded member of RNC or FDLR.
His lawyer John Bigarama said that while his client pleaded guilty, his conviction is influenced by his religious beliefs, as he would repent in a synagogue, but the court has the obligation to assess the evidence presented the prosecution to prove whether he is culpable or not.
“His conviction is based on his religious background. He feels obliged to clean his heart but in law, it is the duty of the court to assess his actions and see if they constitute criminality in line with Rwandan laws, disregarding any religious emotions,” Mr Bigarama said.
His defence maintains that if well assessed, the evidence presented by prosecution, which included Skype and Whatsapp messages, may not be enough to conclude that Mihigo had any criminal intent.
Prosecutors however warned that the defence could jeopardise the outcome of the case by differing from the position of the accused, who admits his liability and seeks the court’s leniency.
“The conscience of the accused is clear, he pleaded guilty to the charges and says he is ready to ask all Rwandans for forgiveness. The defence therefore has no basis to challenge the position of their client,” a prosecutor told court.
Mr Mihigo, the only one who was tried at the opening of the trial, said that he feels remorseful and wants to seek the forgiveness of all Rwandans, and that to this end he has written a later to President Kagame, seeking for his pardon.
He said that in his actions, he made statements in support of a plot to assassinate President Kagame but there was no intent on his side.
Prosecutors contend that Mr Mihigo and his co-accused had conspired to murder top leaders including President Kagame, the Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo, Gen. Jack Nziza, the Deputy Inspector General of Police Dan Munyuza and MP Edouard Bamporiki.
The group was also allegedly planning to avenge the death of former director of external intelligence Col Patrick Karegeya and declare him a hero, as shown in the messages presented to court.
The trial, which has been adjourned many times, resumes next week.
