The incident involved the willful assault and serious injury of Jean Bosco Ndayishimiye, leaving the victim temporarily incapacitated.
The court ruled that Rutatina would serve the suspended sentence over a one-year probationary period and fined him Rwf 500,000.
The court also found Ismael Sindayigaya and Annet Irasubiza guilty as co-defendants in the case.
Together with Rutatina, they were ordered to jointly compensate the victim with Rwf 10 million in damages.
This case stems from an incident on November 27, 2024, when Rutatina allegedly instructed his employees to assault Ndayishimiye, who had spent the night at Rutatina's house in Kayonza District while visiting an employee at the retired general's ranch.
The Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) announced Rutatina's arrest on December 6, 2024, following an investigation into the matter.
The prosecution later charged Rutatina along with ten of his employees, who faced varying levels of sentencing.
Niyibizi Félicien, alias Rasta, Habumuremyi Jean de Dieu, alias Kazungu, Mutungirehe Gérald, Ntabanganyimana Dan, alias Kidamage, Bucyensenge Casmir, and Rwema Samson were all convicted of willful assault causing harm.
The court issued different suspended prison terms and fines for each of them, while Bagorwanubusa Théoneste and Mupenzi Lameck were found guilty of failing to assist a person in danger.
All convicted individuals were collectively ordered to pay the compensation to Ndayishimiye.
However, they were exempted from covering court fees due to their detention during the proceedings. The court granted them the right to appeal within 30 days.
Maj Gen (Rtd) Rutatina retired from the military in 2016, having previously served as the Head of Military Intelligence for the Rwanda Defence Force.
Rwandan law specifies that retired military personnel fall under civilian legal jurisdiction.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/maj-gen-rtd-rutatina-handed-three-month-suspended-sentence
