Court to hear Victoire Ingabire’s bail plea on July 8
Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza is scheduled to appear before the Kicukiro Primary Court on Tuesday, July 8, for a pre-trial detention hearing.
The bail hearing, set for 10:00 a.m., follows her arrest on June 19 on accusations of spreading false information and harmful propaganda intended to incite hostile international sentiment against the Rwandan government.
The National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) stated that Ingabire, a former convict, is suspected of offences threatening public security. Her case was submitted to court on June 30 after the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) concluded its investigation.
Ingabire, who leads the unregistered DALFA-Umurinzi party, previously served a 15-year prison sentence for charges including incitement, forming an armed group, and minimising the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. She was released in 2018 when President Paul Kagame commuted her sentence.
Her current charges are linked to an ongoing conspiracy trial involving 10 other individuals, among them YouTuber Theoneste Nsengimana and Sylvain Nsabimana, who is accused of mobilising a group allegedly plotting to undermine the government.
Prosecutors say Sibomana played a central role in coordinating a training programme aimed at preparing participants for non-violent resistance.
In 2021, according to the prosecution, Sibomana recruited people under the guise of providing English lessons, during which he allegedly used materials such as Blueprint for Revolution, a manual for non-violent protest written by Serbian activist Srdja Popovic.
The prosecution further alleges that the group conducted secret sessions, with members using aliases and receiving financial support from external sources.
