On Monday 22 June 2009, Trial Chamber III at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) delivered its judgement in the case of Callixte Kalimanzira, sentencing the former Interior minister to 30 years’ imprisonment. Kalimanzira was found guilty of genocide as well as direct and public incitement to commit genocide.

During the genocide 1994 in Rwanda, Kalimanzira was Chef de cabinet in the Ministry of the Interior in the Interim Government of Rwanda that took control after the death of President Habyarimana on April 6 1994. Kalimanzira was accused of planning, instigating, ordering, committing or otherwise aiding and abetting the planning and commission of crimes during the events of April to July in Rwanda. He was also accused of personally participating in the massacre of Tutsi civilians.

In its Judgement, the Trial Chamber held that on 23 April 1994, Kalimanzira went to Kabuye hill in Butare préfecture with soldiers and policemen, where thousands of Tutsi refugees were attacked and slaughtered. Kalimanzira encouraged thousands of Tutsi civilians to take refuge at Kabuye Hill in Ndora commune by promising them food and protection. However, they were subsequently killed by Hutu. The Trial Chamber found Kalimanzira guilty of direct and public incitement to commit genocide.The Chamber also found that the influence Kalimanzira derived from his prominent status in Butare society, and his status within the Ministry of the Interior, made it likely that others would follow his example, which served as a factor aggravating his crimes.

Kalimanzira voluntarily surrendered to the tribunal on 8 November 2005 and pleaded not guilty. The trial began on 5 May 2008 and was completed on 20 April 2009.