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Life for journo who incited genocide

KIGALI - A former journalist has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in inciting genocide in Rwanda, local groups yesterday.

KIGALI - A former journalist has been sentenced to life in prison for her role in inciting genocide in Rwanda, local groups yesterday.

In the latest of a series of trials for the 1994 slaughter Valerie Bemeriki, who worked for the influential Milles Collines radio and television, admitted using the network to call on Hutus to kill Tutsis.

The genocide claimed the lives of some 800000 people, mainly Tutsis killed by extremist Hutu militia, in just 100 days.

Bemeriki was convicted by a grass roots gacaca court (based on the age-old concept of a traditional village council). The courts are empowered to try those alleged to have participated in the killings and can hand down sentences ranging from community service to life in jail.

Bemeriki was convicted of planning genocide, inciting Hutus, and complicity in several murders.

Last Thursday, a gacaca court handed down a life sentence to singer Juvenal Masabo Nyangezi, who was tried in his absence, Rwandan human rights activists said. - Sapa-AFP

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