Serugendo (ICTR-05-84)

This case summary is part of a collection of summaries describing the cases before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). See the Online Resource Hub pages on the ICTR and International Criminal Law, and table of ICTR case summaries for additional information.

Source: Serugendo (ICTR-05-84)

Trial Judgment: 12 June 2006

Joseph Serugendo, a former technical advisor for Radio Télévision Libre des Milles Collines (RTLM) in Rwanda, was indicted for his alleged role in setting up and operating RTLM, which was used to broadcast anti-Tutsi propaganda and incite violence against Tutsis during the 1994 genocide. The prosecution charged Serugendo with direct responsibility for incitement to commit genocide and persecution as a crime against humanity.

In 2006, an ICTR Trial Chamber accepted Serugendo’s guilty plea to aiding and abetting incitement to commit genocide and persecution as a crime against humanity for his role in assisting RTLM’s anti-Tutsi broadcasts and helping to recruit Interahamwe militia members. Serugendo died in custody on August 24, 2006, before his sentence of six years’ imprisonment could be served.