Facts
Theodore Tabaro was born in Rwanda in 1969 as Theodore Rukertabaro.
He was allegedly involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide against ethnic Tutsis, in which about 800’000 people were killed. Between 9 April and 31 May 1994, he reportedly contributed to the genocide in Winteko, Nyakaninya and Mibirizi sectors, in the south-western part of the country. From 9 April 1994, Theodore Tabaro, with other Hutu militia, allegedly took part in the massacre of numerous civilians and the raping of women and young girls in Winteko. On 13 April 1994, he allegedly participated in the Nyakanyinya school attack, where several hundred people were killed or seriously injured by grenades, gunfire, and knives. He is also accused of taking part in the Mibirizi church attack, several days later.
He arrived in Sweden in 1998 and became a Swedish citizen in 2006.
Procedure
On 25 October 2016, Theodore Tabaro was arrested in his home in Orebro on suspicion of involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The accused was subsequently placed in detention by the Stockholm District Court and the War Crimes Commission of the Swedish police took over the investigation.
On 6 September 2017, Theodore Tabaro was charged with murder, attempted murder, rapes and kidnappings committed against the Tutsi minority. He is accused of having organized, recruited, incited and executed massacres against the Tutsis.
On 26 September 2017, the Swedish war crimes unit traveled to Rwanda to gather evidence and to interview witnesses and victims. At least 36 murders and 7 rapes have been identified in the course of investigations. More than 30 victims and relatives of the victims participated in the proceedings as civil parties.
His trial opened on 27 September 2017 before a special chamber of a court in Stockholm.
On 27 June 2018, he was sentenced by the court to life imprisonment for genocide through murder, attempted murder and abduction of members of the Tutsi ethnic minority. However, he was acquitted of the rape charges.
Tabaro was ordered to compensate 16 victims. Each was granted between 25,000 to 102,000 Swedish Krona (approximately 2,800 to 11,600 US dollars).
Tabaro appealed the decision of the Stockholm District Court. His appeal trial was opened on 10 September 2018. The Appeals Chamber visited Rwanda to examine the crime scenes and the building of a court from which the Rwandan victims testified through videoconference.
In April 2019, the verdict and sentence were upheld by the Appeal Chamber, the decision is final.