The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda today confirmed the convictions of Mikaeli (also known as “Mika”) Muhimana for genocide, rape and murder as crimes against humanity, as well as his sentences of imprisonment for the remainder of his life. He was convicted for instigating, committing, and abetting numerous crimes between April and June 1994 at various locations in Kibuye Prefecture.

The Appeals Chamber was composed of Judges Fausto Pocar, presiding, Mohamed Shahabuddeen, Mehmet Güney, Liu Daqun, and Wolfgang Schomburg.

By majority the Appeals Chamber allowed only two of Muhimana’s sixteen grounds of appeal challenging his convictions and sentences. The Appeals Chamber unanimously determined, however, that these errors did not invalidate any of Muhimana’s convictions and sentences for rape and murder given his numerous other crimes, including his role in five other killings and ten other rapes. The Appeals Chamber unanimously dismissed Muhimana’s remaining fourteen grounds of appeal.

Muhimana was the conseiller of Gishyita Sector in Gishyita Commune, Kibuye Prefecture from 1990 through the relevant events in 1994. Muhimana was arrested in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on 8 November 1999. His trial commenced on 29 March 2004, and he was convicted by Trial Chamber III in its Judgement rendered on 28 April 2005. His appeal was heard on 17 January 2007.

Twenty seven trials against 33 accused have been completed. The Appeals Chamber has completed 16 trials against 20 accused and is presently seized with cases against 6 accused. Trials against 27 others are going on before the Trial Chambers. The Tribunal has so far arrested 72 accused people.