Published October 13,2023
Subscribe
The organiser of the Miss Rwanda magnificence pageant was sentenced Friday to 5 years in jail for rape and soliciting sexual favours — 10 months after being cleared of the fees.
Dieudonne Ishimwe, a former musician popularly often known as Prince Kid, had been arrested in April final yr accused of sexually assaulting former contestants.
In December, a decide discovered the 36-year-old not responsible, citing inadequate proof, and ordered his launch, however the prosecution appealed.
He was convicted on Friday by a Kigali court docket of rape and soliciting sexual favours however acquitted on a cost of sexual harassment.
Prosecutors had sought a 16-year jail sentence, however the three-judge panel mentioned it selected a five-year time period “based on the fact that it is the first time that Mr Ishimwe has been charged with a crime,” in keeping with the ruling learn by one of many judges.
Ishimwe, who earlier this yr married a former Miss Rwanda, was additionally fined two million Rwandan francs ($1,640).
Neither Ishimwe nor his authorized representatives have been in court docket for the ruling.
Ishimwe’s lawyer Emeline Nyembo advised AFP that they’d not but determined whether or not to enchantment.
“I have not had the opportunity to meet with my client. Once I have consulted with Mr Ishimwe and discussed the matter with him, we will determine our course of action.”
Ishimwe’s arrest led to the suspension of the annual Miss Rwanda contest, which billed itself because the nation’s main magnificence pageant.
Miss Rwanda debuted within the world Miss World competitors in 2016, in keeping with its web site.
Source: www.anews.com.tr