-Shibali Mishra and Rachel Parajuli
The Prosecution started their Witness Presentation with a very powerful witness, Douse Olivier, a maid for the Nkurunziza family for the past 4 years, who claimed that she was aware of the conversations and encounters between the rebels and President Nkurunziza. She was under the impression that the young fellows visiting the President were “innocent young men” but was later proven wrong when she saw the same people on television, in a protest they had staged. She divulged in the horrifying details of her rape in the hands of the police spokesperson, Nkurukiye and claimed that when the President walked in, he simply cracked a smile, and went only as far as to call the policeman out but only to tell him to not indulge in these illegal acts under his roof. If this doesn't scream that the President does not want to get his hands dirty, I don't know what will convince the Judges. Their incriminating testimonia includedl- A mutilated finger given to Olivier as a threat by Nkurukiye and DNA evidence under her fingernails that pointed to him.
The enthusiastic defense council brought the defense minister of Burundi, Germain Nryoyankaba as their witness. They deemed him reliable as he worked directly with the government. They claimed that the Imbonerakure, even after jurisdiction did not comply with the government’s request. They were apparently doing as they pleased even after being warned by the government repeatedly. In this process, they made a blunder by claiming the leader of the state and the leader of the armed rebel groups were in direct contact. This contradicted their previous statements regarding how due to lack of communication, the government was compelled to carry out investigations in the oppositions’ homes. This posed as a huge loophole in the case. We now are starting to think the prosecution may be overpowering the defense. Everyone is looking forward to the final verdict; Pierre Nkurunziza guilty or innocent?
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