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Burundi 'plotters' walk free
19/01/2007 12:46 - (SA)
Washington - The United States on Thursday praised the high court in Burundi after the country's former president and four other people were cleared on charges of plotting to overthrow President Pierre Nkurunziza's government.
State department deputy spokesperson Tom Casey said: "Their acquittal is a result of Burundi's efforts to foster transparent and independent institutions. We support Burundi's renewed momentum toward the establishment of a stable and inclusive process."
Elie Ntungwanayo, the court's spokesperson, said on Monday that Burundi's high court acquitted former president Domitien Ndayizeye, former vice-president Alphonse Kadege and three others because there was no evidence against them.
However, Ntungwanayo said that the court convicted two other defendants, former rebel leader Alain Mugabarabona, and Tharcisse Ndayishimiye, a jobless man.
Mugabarabona was sentenced to 20 years in jail and Ndayishimiye was sentenced to 15 years. Casey said he expected that two convicted defendants would be afforded due process as they appealed the court's decision.
Burundi had long been riven by tension between the majority Hutus and minority Tutsis, who had dominated the government, economy and military since independence from Belgium in 1962.
- AP
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