SWEDEN REMOTE WITNESSES CONTRIBUTE TO GENOCIDE CONDEMNATION His appeal trial opened on 10 September 2018. The appeal’s court went to Rwanda to see the crime scenes and the court building from where the Rwandese victims and witnesses were heard through videoconference. Theodore Tabaro The prosecutor’s closing argument is planned to take place in late February 2019. Context Current status Ongoing proceedings in Sweden for crimes allegedly committed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide Ongoing trial Suspect Theodore Tabaro was allegedly involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide against ethnic Tutsi, in which 800,000 people were killed. The alleged crimes took place between 9 April and 31 May 1994, in the Winteko, Nyakanyinya and Mibirizi sectors, in Southwestern Rwanda. Dual Swedish citizenship and Rwandese Country of residence of suspect Sweden Charges Genocide; war crimes Developments in 2018 On 27 June 2018, Theodore Tabaro was sentenced to life in prison by the District Court of Stockholm. He was found guilty of murder, attempted murder and kidnapping of members of the Tutsi minority, with the aim to completely or partially destroy the group. He was not found guilty of the rape charges that could not be proven. He was also sentenced to pay a compensation of between 25,000 and 102,000 Kronor to 16 victims (approximately 2,800 to 11,600 US dollars). Facts From 9 April 1994, Theodore Tabaro, with other Hutu militia, allegedly took part in the massacre of numerous civilians and the raping of women and young girls in Winteko. On 13 April 1994, he allegedly participated in the Nyakanyinya school attack, where several hundred people were killed or seriously injured by grenades, gunfire, and knives. He is also accused of taking part in the Mibirizi church attack, several days later. He arrived in Sweden in 1998 and became a Swedish citizen in 2006. Procedure On 25 October 2016, Theodore Tabaro was arrested in his home in Orebro on suspicion of involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The accused was subsequently remanded in custody by the Stockholm District Court. The war crimes unit of the Swedish police have led the investigation headed by a Senior Public Prosecutor. 63 On 6 September 2017, Theodore Tabaro was charged with murder, attempted murder, rapes, and kidnappings against the Tutsi minority. He is accused of having organised, recruited, incited, and even executed massacres against Tutsis. On 26 September 2017, the District Court of Stockholm travelled to Rwanda to examine some of the witnesses and victims, and to see the alleged crime scenes. Some 30 other survivors and family members of the victims were among the plaintiffs. His trial opened on 27 September 2017 before a Special Court in Stockholm. Read more about the case