The Military Court convicted Sgt Minani Gervais of the crimes he was charged with, sentencing him to life imprisonment and deprivation of military rank.

Sgt Minani was charged with three offences, including voluntary manslaughter, using a weapon without the authority of an officer and damaging, stealing and willfully destroying a military weapon.

These are the crimes he committed on November 13, 2024 where he shot people in the bar of the church in Rushyarara in Rubyiruko Village in Nyamasheke District.

Those killed are Benemugabo Denis, 17 years old, Habumukisha Onesphore, 20 years old, Sindayiheba Zephanie, 44 years old, Muhawenimana Jonas, 35 years old and Nsekambabaye Ezra, 51 years old.

It is said that before Sgt Minani shot those people, he had an argument with the owner of the bar where he had been drinking, and they demanded the money he had to pay.

The prosecution based on the statements of the witnesses, shows that Sgt Minani was given a 10-day leave but instead of going on vacation he stayed at a bar in Rubyiruko Square.

It revealed that he fired 60 rounds at the center, using an SMG-3945 rifle.

This case took place in public, where the crime was committed in the village of Rubyiruko, Rushyarara cell. It was attended by many civilians and soldiers.

The lawyer who was supposed to defend Sgt Minani, Me Murigande Jean Claude, withdrew from the case after proving that his client has a mental illness but the Court dismissed it because the doctor’s report showed that he does not.

The prosecution had asked the court to testify against Sgt Minani and sentence him to life imprisonment.

Sgt Minani pleaded guilty to the charges and said he was apologetic. He asked the Court to consider it because he did it because of the violence he was subjected to.

After considering the arguments of both parties, the Court finds that Sgt. Minani is convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

It shows that the fact that he killed five people is a cruel act and therefore no mitigation can be given.

It also shows that the fact that Sgt Minani left his place to look for a gun means that he intended to take revenge.

The court also found that he committed the crime of shooting without the authority’s order and should be punished.

It showed that there was a political conflict.

The law provides that if there is a political conflict, the judge will give a punishment that is more severe than other crimes.

The court finds that even though the defendant requests a reduced sentence, his crime of killing five people is an act of supernatural cruelty and he should be punished, punishing him with life imprisonment.

He was also charged with theft and willful destruction of a military device because he used a stolen firearm while off duty.