In its judgement of 24 September 2008, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) sentenced Siméon Nchamihigo, the former Deputy Prosecutor in Cyangugu Prefecture, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of genocide, and extermination, murder and other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity.

Trial Chamber III of the Tribunal stated that Nchamihigo was responsible for ordering or instigating the Interhamwe militia to kill some 2,000 Tutsi during the genocide in 1994. Nchamihigo held the position of Substitut du Procureur in the Office of the Prosecutor, a position he obtained by using a forged diploma, and was also the secretary of the Coalition pour la défense de la république.

On 11 and 14 April 1994, Nchamihigo attended the Cyangugu prefecture Security Council meetings; the Chamber found that several of the massacres were planned at these meetings. The Trial Chamber also found that Siméon Nchamihigo participated in various attacks on refugee places, schools and churches.

Limited mitigation in sentencing

In determining the sentence to be handed down to Nchamihigo, the Trial Chamber found few mitigating circumstances. On the contrary, it determined that his position of deputy prosecutor was a prominent public position of trust and this served as an aggravating circumstance in the case, especially considering the zeal Nchamihigo exhibited in the perpetration of the crimes.

Because of Nchamihigo’s position in the justice system, the Trial Chamber found that he was expected to uphold the rule of law and principles of morality.

Former defence investigator at ICTR

Under the name of ‘Sammy Bahiti Weza’, Nchamihigo worked for the ICTR himself from July 1998 as a defence investigator for the now-convicted Samuel Imanishimwe. A witness in one of the trials recognised Nchamihigo as one of the organisers of the massacres and he was subsequently arrested by the Tanzanian authorities on 19 May 2001.

Siméon Nchamihigo will be transferred to one of the seven States which have concluded agreements with the ICTR to serve out his life sentence.


Former tribunal investigator sentenced to live imprisonment for genocide

24 September 2008