Rwandan government critic jailed 7 years

A Rwandan YouTuber, Rashid Hakuzimana, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for violating the country’s laws on genocide denial. 

Hakuzimana, arrested in 2021, faced charges of inciting ethnic divisions and spreading false information, including claims that critics of President Paul Kagame are often imprisoned. 

He denied these accusations, arguing that his arrest was due to his criticism of the government through his popular YouTube channel.

Rwanda’s laws make it illegal to deny, minimize, or justify the 1994 genocide, during which around 800,000 people, primarily ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were killed in a 100-day period by Hutu extremists. 

The Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which ended the genocide, has faced allegations from rights groups of retaliating against Hutus as they took control—claims the RPF-led government refutes.

During the trial, the judge highlighted Hakuzimana's statements, such as his assertions that genocide orphans received less care than children of government officials, as actions that could incite division. 

The 56-year-old represented himself but refused to present a defense, insisting on being recognized as a politician rather than a YouTuber in court. He also pointed out that he had already spent three years in detention since his arrest.

With the three years already served being credited, Hakuzimana is expected to remain in prison for four more years, alongside a fine of $700 (£500). It remains unclear whether he will appeal the verdict.