Rwanda: Justice in jeopardy: The first instance trial of Victoire Ingabire

The arrest of opposition politician Victoire Ingabire after her return to Rwanda to contest the 2010 elections attracted widespread international attention. The criminal trial, one of the longest in Rwandan history, is both politically and legally important, as a test of the Rwandan judiciary’s capacity to deal with high-profile political cases fairly and independently. Victoire Ingabire was convicted and sentenced to eight years in prison; she has appealed to the Supreme Court. Amnesty international is urging the Rwandan authorities to ensure that her appeal meets standards under Rwandan and international law.