$ 1 million demanded by Mr.Zigiranyirazo as compansation from ICTR

From his safe house in northern Tanzania, “Mr. Z” is demanding justice, IJT’s correspondent learned yesterday. “Mr. Z” claims his rights were seriously violated by the Arusha tribunal.

“Mr. Z”, alias Protais Zigiranyirazo, is brother-in-law to former President Juvenal Habyarimana. “Mr. Z” was acquitted by the Appeals Chamber of the International Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on November 16, 2009, more than 8 years after his arrest in Belgium.
In a 57-page motion, Agathe Habarimana’s elder brother denounces the length of his pre-trial detention as based on “flagrant legal and factual errors” in the first instance judgement which sentenced him to 20 years. He claimed the stigma of being referred to as a ‘genocidaire’ despite his acquittal, deprived him of the ability to earn a living and enjoy family life.
And a visa to Belgium
Therefore, “the northern prince”, as he is also known, seeks no less than $1 million as compensation and moral damages. The prosecution and the registry are to lodge submissions on the matter by April 14. “He will forever be unable to regain that excessively long period of his life, almost a decade, where he was unable to earn a living and spend time with his wife, children or grandchildren,” his lawyers John Philpot and Charles Taku argue in their request.
“Mr. Z” also wants the ICTR to order Belgium to allow him into the country. He was arrested in July 2001 in Belgium, which is home to many of his family members.
The two lawyers also recall that “at the behest of the ICTR president, the Security Council, on 21 December 2011, reiterated its call on states to help with relocations of acquitted persons”.
Therefore, according to them, the tribunal “is empowered to request the cooperation of Belgium” to accept “Mr. Z”. Agathe Habyarimana’s brother shares his safe house with seven other former prominent figures acquitted or released after serving their sentences. None of them have yet found a host country where they can live as free men.
By Clive Muhenga, Arusha