A few days ago, the President of the ICTR granted early release of Bagaragaza who had been convicted to 8 years’ imprisonment for complicity in genocide.
This is the first early release of an ICTR convict.
Moreover, never before has the early release been applied by the ad hoc Tribunals to a person convicted for genocide or complicity in genocide.
According to the Decision, Bagaragaza is to be released after 3/4 of his sentence has been served, namely, from 1 December 2011.
The President of the ICTR has taken into account, inter alia, Bagaragaza’s guilty plea and his substantial cooperation with the Prosecution.
The President acknowledged that cooperation with the Prosecutor was considered as a mitigating factor in the determination of the sentence.
In the President's view, however, this does not preclude its consideration during the determination of eligibility for early release.
Bagaragaza, Decision on the Early Release of Michel Bagaragaza, Case No. ICTR-05-86-S, President of the Tribunal, 24 October 2011.