The Prosecutor v. Joseph Kanyabashi, Elie Ndayambaje, Sylvain Nsabimana, Arsène Shalom Ntahobali, Alphonse Nteziryayo, and Pauline Nyiramasuhuko

Case Sheet · ICTR

The Prosecutor v. Joseph Kanyabashi, Elie Ndayambaje, Sylvain Nsabimana, Arsène Shalom Ntahobali, Alphonse Nteziryayo, and Pauline Nyiramasuhuko

Case number ICTR-98-42
Case Name "Butare"
Status Closed · Sentenced Closed · Sentence Served 

Context

Joseph Kanyabashi held the office of Bourgmestre of Ngoma commune in Butare préfecture from April 1974 until leaving Rwanda around 4 July 1994.

Elie Ndayambaje held the office of Bourgmestre of Muganza commune, in Butare préfecture, as of 22 June 1994. Previously, Elie Ndayambaje had held the office of Bourgmestre of the same commune from 1983 to 1992.

Sylvain Nsabimana held the office of Préfet of Butare from 19 April to 17 June 1994.

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali was a student and led a group of MRND militiamen, the Interahamwe in Butare préfecture.

Alphonse Nteziryayo held the office of Préfet of Butare from 17 June 1994 until he left Rwanda in July 1994. Before that, he was responsible for the Civil Defense of the préfecture of Butare.

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko held the office of Minister of Family and Women's Development in the Interim Government headed by Jean Kambanda. Before that, she held the same office in the Transitional Government headed by Agathe Uwilingiyimana. She was a member of the Mouvement républicain national pour la démocratie et le développement (MRND) and a prominent political figure in Butare préfecture.

Pre-Trial

Initial Indictment
Joseph Kanyabashi
11 July 1996

Elie Ndayambaje
17 June 1996

Sylvain Nsabimana
16 October 1997

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
26 May 1997

Alphonse Nteziryayo
16 October 1997

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
26 May 1997
Amended IndictmentS
Joseph Kanyabashi
12 August 1999

Elie Ndayambaje
10 August 1999

Sylvain Nsabimana
24 October 1997
12 November 1998

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
17 October 1997
27 November 1997
10 August 1999

Alphonse Nteziryayo
12 November 1998

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
3 September 1997
27 November 1997
10 August 1999
Joint indictment
6 March 1998
14 July 1998
Crimes Charged
Joseph Kanyabashi
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Conspiracy to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(b) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS
Complicity in genocide · art. 2(3)(e) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 3(a) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 3(i) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Elie Ndayambaje
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Conspiracy to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(b) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS
Complicity in genocide · art. 2(3)(e) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 3(a) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 3(i) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Sylvain Nsabimana
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Conspiracy to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(b) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS
Complicity in genocide · art. 2(3)(e) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 3(a) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 3(i) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Conspiracy to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(b) ICTRS
Complicity in genocide · art. 2(3)(e) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 3(a) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 3(g) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 3(i) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS
Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault · art. 4(e) ICTRS

Alphonse Nteziryayo
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Conspiracy to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(b) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS
Complicity in genocide · art. 2(3)(e) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 3(a) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 3(i) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Conspiracy to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(b) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS
Complicity in genocide · art. 2(3)(e) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of murder · art. 3(a) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 3(g) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of other inhumane acts · art. 3(i) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS
Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault · art. 4(e) ICTRS
Arrest and Transfer
Joseph Kanyabashi
28 June 1995 · Arrested in Belgium · Transferred to ICTR 8 November 1996

Elie Ndayambaje
28 June 1995 · Arrested in Belgium · Transferred to ICTR 8 November 1996

Sylvain Nsabimana
18 July 1997 · Arrested in Kenta · Transferred to ICTR 18 July 1997

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
24 July 1997 · Arrested in Kenyaa · Transferred to ICTR 24 July 1997

Alphonse Nteziryayo
24 April 1998 · Arrested in Burkina Faso
Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
18 June 1997 · Arrested in Kenya · Transferred to ICTR 18 June 1997
Initial Appearance
Joseph Kanyabashi
29 November 1996 · Plea: Not Guilty entered in his behalf

Elie Ndayambaje
29 November 1996 · Plea: Not Guilty

Sylvain Nsabimana
24 October 1997 · Plea: Not Guilty

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
17 October 1997 · Plea: Not Guilty

Alphonse Nteziryayo
17 August 1998 · Plea: Not Guilty

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
3 September 1997 · Plea: Not Guilty

Trial

Trial Chamber Trial Chamber II · Judges: Judge William H. Sekule (Presiding), Judge Arlette Ramaroson, Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa
Trial Opening 12 June 2001
Trial Judgment 24 June 2011
Crimes at Trial Judgment
Joseph Kanyabashi
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Elie Ndayambaje
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Sylvain Nsabimana
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 3(g) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS
Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault · art. 4(e) ICTRS

Alphonse Nteziryayo
Genocide
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Conspiracy to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(b) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 3(g) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS
Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault · art. 4(e) ICTRS
Sentencing Judgment
Joseph Kanyabashi
35 years of imprisonment 

Elie Ndayambaje
Life imprisonment

Sylvain Nsabimana
25 years of imprisonment

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
Life imprisonment

Alphonse Nteziryayo
30 years of imprisonment

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
Life imprisonment

Appeal

Appeals Chamber Appeals Chamber · Judges: Judge Fausto Pocar (Presiding), Judge Carmel Agius, Judge Liu Daqun, Judge Khalida Rachid Khan, Judge Bakhtiyar Tuzmukhamedov
Appeals Filed By Both
Appeal Judgment 14 December 2015
Crimes at Appeal Judgment
Joseph Kanyabashi
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS

Elie Ndayambaje
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Sylvain Nsabimana
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 3(g) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of persecution · art. 3(h) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS
Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault · art. 4(e) ICTRS

Alphonse Nteziryayo
Genocide
Direct and public incitement to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(c) ICTRS

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
Genocide
Genocide · art. 2(3)(a) ICTRS
Conspiracy to commit genocide · art. 2(3)(b) ICTRS
Crimes against humanity
Crime against humanity of extermination · art. 3(b) ICTRS
Crime against humanity of rape · art. 3(g) ICTRS
Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II
Violence to life, health and physical or mental well-being of persons, in particular murder as well as cruel treatment such as torture, mutilation or any form of corporal punishment · art. 4(a) ICTRS
Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment, rape, enforced prostitution and any form of indecent assault · art. 4(e) ICTRS
Final Sentence
Joseph Kanyabashi
20 years of imprisonment 

Elie Ndayambaje
47 years of imprisonment

Sylvain Nsabimana
18 years of imprisonment

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
47 years of imprisonment

Alphonse Nteziryayo
25 years of imprisonment

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
47 years of imprisonment
Transfer to Serve Sentence
Joseph Kanyabashi
14 December 2015 · Sentence served

Elie Ndayambaje
8 November 2017 · Senegal

Sylvain Nsabimana
14 December 2015 · Sentence served

Arsène Shalom Ntahobali
27 November 2017 · Senegal

Alphonse Nteziryayo
9 March 2016 · Early release 

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko
19 June 2018 · Senegal

Key Documents

Amended Indictment Amended Indictment [Vol. I] (2001)
Amended Indictment Amended Indictment [Vol. II] (2001)
Trial Judgment Trial Judgment (2011)
Appeal Judgment Appeal Judgment [Vol. I] (2015)
Appeal Judgment Appeal Judgment [Vol. II] (2015)
ICTR Case Page Official ICTR page