Uwinkindi (ICTR-01-75)

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: Uwinkindi (ICTR-01-75)

Transfer Decision: 28 June 2011; Appeal Decision: 16 December 2011

In the first case transferred to Rwandan courts, Jean Uwinkindi, former Pastor of the Pentecostal Church of Kayenzi in Kigali-Rural Prefecture, was indicted for his alleged role in attacks against Tutsis at Kayenzi Church, at Biyimana and Rwankeri cellules, and in Cyugaro’s swamps. The prosecution charged Uwinkindi with direct responsibility for genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and extermination as a crime against humanity.

In 2011, an ICTR Trial Chamber granted the prosecution’s request to transfer Uwinkindi to Rwanda to face trial in the national courts. Uwinkindi appealed the transfer decision, and in late 2011, the ICTR Appeals Chamber upheld the decision to transfer Uwinkindi to Rwanda.

This is one of five cases referred by the ICTR to national courts that is being monitored by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (MICT).