Singer

Simon Bikindi is accused of conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide (or, alternatively, complicity in genocide), direct and public incitement to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity. Identity

• Born in 1954 in Rwerere commune, Gisenyi prefecture.
• Director of Irindiro Ballet.
• Official in the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Charges

• In January 1994, Bikindi allegedly participated in military training of Interahamwe in Kigali.
• During the genocide, RTLM allegedly broadcast Bikindi's anti-Tutsi songs repeatedly throughout the day and he performed his songs at Interahamwe, MRND and CDR political meetings. According to the indictment, his songs « were deployed in a propaganda campaign to target Tutsi as the enemy, or as enemy accomplices, and to instigate, incite, and encourage the Hutu population to separate themselves from the Tutsi and to kill them. »
• During the genocide, Bikindi allegedly called for the killing of Tutsi and ordered his Interahamwe and ballet members to kill specific Tutsi.

Proceedings

• Prosecutor Carla del Ponte signed the indictment on June 27, 2001.
• Bikindi was arrested on July 12, 2001 in Leiden, the Netherlands.
• He was transferred to Arusha on 27 March, 2002.
• During his inital appearance on april 4, 2002, Bikindi pleaded not guilty