She was linked to the activities of the FDLR (Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda) Rwandan Hutu rebels operating in eastern DRC.
Since April 16, Victoire Ingabire’s trial has witnessed protests against a court decision to shorten the submission of a witness for the defense with accusations that the Rwandan authorities were fabricating evidence against her.
Immediately after the verdict, her British lawyer announced that he would appeal to the Supreme Court of Rwanda, and if this approach fails, he would go to the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights based in Arusha Tanzania.
Boniface Twagirimana, Vice-President of United Democratic Forces noted that his boss’ conviction was motivated by political considerations and was a sign that the government of General Paul Kagame was not ready to open political space in Rwanda and to uphold the principles of democracy, the right to hold opinions and freedom in general.