The Supreme Court of Burundi will hold a public hearing in the Bunyoni case this Thursday, judicial sources told SOS Médias Burundi on Wednesday evening.
The hearing of the former head of government will take place at the central prison of Gitega (political capital), assured several judicial and prison sources, who spoke to SOS Médias Burundi on Wednesday evening.
“A room has been set up at the Gitega central prison. What is certain is that the hearing will be public,” said sources at Gitega central prison.
Alain Guillaume Bunyoni, former Prime Minister of Burundi, was transferred there last July. He had been detained at the central prison of Ngozi (northern Burundi) since May 8 this year.
The former Hutu rebel is being prosecuted for “endangering the internal security of the State, undermining the proper functioning of the national economy…illegal possession of weapons and contempt of the head of state”, announced a spokesperson of the Supreme Court and the General Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic.
International organizations including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have demanded a fair trial for Mr. Bunyoni who is suspected of having ordered the killings of political or supposed opponents in the past when he was minister in charge of security in particular.
They fear that he will be prosecuted for “real crimes” and demand “the presence of independent observers”.
Arrested in obscure circumstances last April, the former all-powerful Burundian prime minister risks up to 30 years in prison if the crimes with which he is accused are proven.
Claude HATEGEKIMANA
Rwandatribune.com