Rwanda: Ex minister’s graft appeal hearing date set

APA- Kigali The appeal hearing of former Rwandan state minister in charge of culture Edouard Bamporiki has been set for December 19 at the High Court in Kigali, a judicial source confirmed to APA in Kigali on Wednesday. Previously, the prosecution had sought a 20- year sentence and a fine of$ 200, but the defense team had asked for a suspended sentence on grounds that…

APA – Kigali (Rwanda) The appeal hearing of former Rwandan state minister in charge of culture Edouard Bamporiki has been set for December 19 at the High Court in Kigali, a judicial source confirmed to APA in Kigali on Wednesday.

The court has so far convicted him of two counts of fraudulent acquisition of another person’s property and abusing the authority given to him by the law.

Previously, the prosecution had sought a 20-year sentence and a fine of $ 200, but the defense team had asked for a suspended sentence on grounds that his client had pleaded guilty and had been cooperative throughout the trial.

However, in delivering the verdict, the intermediate court of Nyarugenge in Kigali ruled that Bamporiki “doesn’t deserve a suspended sentence and it would not teach any lesson for the public if someone of his status as a state minister of culture and someone who championed values was not punished.”

Bamporiki was suspended from the cabinet on May 5 and placed under house arrest following allegations of his alleged involvement in corruption.

Apart from his political career, Bamporiki is a filmmaker.

“Long Coat” is one of his most famous films.

It is the true story of a survivor of the 1994 genocide which focuses on leaving one’s past behind.