Ingabire Victoire seeks defense by foreign lawyer as bail hearing postponed

By The Inspirer.

Kigali, July 8, 2025 — The Kicukiro Primary Court has postponed the bail hearing of Ingabire Victoire Umuhoza to July 15, 2025, following her request for more time to study the prosecution’s case and to secure authorization for her preferred foreign lawyer to practice in Rwanda.

Ingabire appeared in court this morning dressed in a red and orange traditional kitenge, accompanied by a matching headscarf and black sunglasses. At 9:30 a.m., after a brief photo session for journalists, the hearing began.

The presiding judge read the charges and invited Ingabire and her lawyer, Me Gatera Gashabana, to explain their letter requesting the delay. The letter cited two main reasons: the foreign lawyer Ingabire wishes to represent her has not yet been authorized to practice in Rwanda, and she had difficulties understanding aspects of the prosecution’s case file.

During her remarks, Ingabire outlined three reasons for the postponement:
First, she requested the court to ask the Rwanda Bar Association to facilitate authorization for her Kenyan lawyer to represent her in this trial. Although represented by Me Gashabana, Ingabire explained she was added late to a case involving nine others, relying on Me Gashabana due to the sudden nature of her arrest.

Second, she described the prosecution’s file as disorganized and confusing, making it hard to comprehend the charges fully. She added that some documents were inaccessible or would not open on the online system.

Third, she said she only received the prosecution’s file on Saturday, leaving insufficient time to review the evidence, including audio recordings referenced in the case.

Citing articles 74 and 75 of the criminal procedure law, Ingabire emphasized her right to a clear and comprehensive case file detailing the charges and grounds for prosecution.

Prosecution Alleges Delay Tactics

The prosecution dismissed these reasons as attempts to delay the bail hearing. They argued Ingabire was well represented during investigation phases and saw no justification for postponement pending foreign lawyer authorization. They stressed that the trial itself had not started and accused the defense of procedural manipulation.

Regarding the unclear case file claim, the prosecution insisted the documentation was clear and comprehensive. On the timing of file access, they noted the case was filed on June 30, and Ingabire had access since then. The prosecution attributed any delay to the defense’s negligence.

Me Gashabana countered, noting the week after June 30 was a public holiday, limiting their ability to review documents, a point the prosecution contested by stating the system remained operational.

After considering both sides, the judge postponed the bail hearing to July 15 but warned that no further delays would be tolerated.