Planner of Rwandan Genocide Convicted and Sentenced

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has convicted Theoneste Bagosora of genocide and crimes against humanity. Since the Tribunal was not empowered to give the death sentence, Bagosora was sentenced to life in prison. Bagosora, a former colonel, is the highest-ranking military officer to be convicted of participating in the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

At the time of the genocide, Bagosora held the highest official in Rwanda's Ministry of Defense. Bagosora is held responsible for inciting violence as well as the deaths of former Rwandan Prime Minister Agathe Uwilingiyimana and ten Belgian peacekeepers. Approximately 800,000 to 1 million people died during the Rwandan genocide, which began on April 6, 1994 and lasted about 100 days.