Rwandan YouTuber Rashid Hakuzimana has been sentenced to seven years in prison for breaching Rwanda’s laws on genocide denial, inciting ethnic division, and spreading false information.
Hakuzimana, who was arrested in 2021, denied the charges and argued that his arrest was politically motivated due to his criticism of President Paul Kagame’s government in his popular YouTube videos.
The court found that Hakuzimana’s comments, including claims that genocide orphans were not as well cared for as children of government officials, contributed to “ethnic division”.
His YouTube channel, Rashid TV, has garnered significant attention for its critical content.
During his trial, Hakuzimana represented himself and refused to present a defense, insisting on being recognised as a politician rather than a YouTuber. Although sentenced to seven years, he will serve four years as his three-year pretrial detention is counted toward his sentence. Hakuzimana was also fined $700.
Human rights groups have accused Kagame’s government of using genocide denial laws to suppress dissent, but the government refutes these allegations.
Similar cases, such as that of YouTuber Yvonne Idamange, who received an extended prison sentence for inciting violence, have drawn attention to the Rwandan government’s handling of online critics.
Government prosecuting someone for speech they don’t like?! Wow, Africa is a crazy place.
Thank God that type of stuff would never happen in a first world country, right guys?
Guys?
no, of course not 😵💫😵💫😵💫😵💫
All I can say is don’t bend over to pick up the soap
You could be in for a rude awakening