Kagame pardons 2 140 prisoners

One of Rwanda's most prominent opposition leaders walked free on Saturday after the government approved the early release of 2 140 prisoners. Victoire Ingabire walked out of the Nyarugenge prison hours after the Justice Ministry's announcement. Also approved for early release was musician Kizito Mihigo. A Ministry statement said both had made their most recent requests for clemency in June. As previously reported in Legalbrief Today, Ingabire, who heads the Democratic Forces of Rwanda (FDU) party, was arrested in 2010 and found guilty of conspiracy to undermine the government and denying Rwanda's 1994 genocide. The New Times reports that she was sentenced to 15 years' imprisonment. Human Rights Watch labelled the charges politically motivated and linked to her criticism of the government ahead of the 2010 presidential election. ‘I am grateful for the presidential mercy because the President (Paul Kagame) decided to pardon me so that I can go out and live a normal life,’ Ingabire reportedly said.