Sgt Minani Gervais sentenced to life imprisonment for shooting and killing five civilians
The Military Court in Rwanda has convicted Sgt Gervais Minani of charges against him and sentenced him to life imprisonment while also stripping him of his military rank.
Sgt Minani faced three charges: intentional homicide, unauthorized use of a firearm, and the deliberate theft, destruction, and concealment of military equipment.
The crimes occurred on November 13, 2024, when he opened fire in a bar located in the Rushyarara trading center, Rubyiruko Village, in Nyamasheke District.
The victims were Benemugabo Denis (17), Habumugisha Onesphore (20), Sindayiheba Zephanie (44), Muhawenimana Jonas (35), and Nsekambabaye Ezra (51).
It is reported that before the shooting, Sgt Minani had a dispute with the bar owner over an unpaid bill.
According to witnesses cited by the prosecution, Sgt Minani was on a 10-day leave but instead of resting, he went to the bar in Rubyiruko trading center.
He reportedly fired 60 bullets in the area using an SMG-3945 rifle.
The trial was conducted publicly at the crime scene in Rubyiruko Village, Rushyarara Cell, and was attended by many civilians and military personnel.
Sgt Minani’s lawyer, Jean Claude Murigande, withdrew from the case after arguing that his client suffered from mental illness, a claim dismissed by the court based on a medical report indicating otherwise.
The prosecution requested the court to convict Sgt Minani and sentence him to life imprisonment.
The defendant admitted to the charges, pleaded guilty, and asked for leniency, claiming he acted out of provocation.
After examining the arguments from both sides, the court concluded that Sgt Minani was guilty of intentional homicide. It emphasized that killing five people demonstrated extreme cruelty, leaving no room for mitigating circumstances.
The court also highlighted that Sgt Minani leaving the bar to retrieve a firearm demonstrated premeditation and an intention to retaliate.
The court ruled that he was guilty of unauthorized use of a firearm, stating that he had committed an act of reckless indiscipline.
It noted that the case involved multiple interconnected offenses, and under the law, the harshest sentence for the most serious charge applies in such scenarios.
Although the defendant sought a reduced sentence, the court deemed the murder of five individuals as a heinous and unforgivable act, thus imposing life imprisonment.
Additionally, the court convicted Sgt Minani of theft and deliberate concealment of military equipment, as the firearm he used had been stolen and he was not on duty at the time.
