Her lawyer, Me Gatera Gashabana, told the court that his client should not be denied the right to be represented by a lawyer of her own choosing.

Ingabire Victoire said her rights had been violated because the Association of lawyers in Rwanda refused to grant permission for a Kenyan lawyer to represent her. She had asked the court to help convince the Bar Association to approve this lawyer.

The presiding judge reminded Ingabire Victoire and Me Gatera Gashabana that the Bar operates independently and cannot be compelled by any authority to take specific actions.

Ingabire Victoire is Facing Six Charges:

1.      Creating a criminal group

2.      Inciting unrest

3.      Endangering the current government

4.      Propaganda aimed at turning foreign nations against the Rwandan government

5.      Spreading false information

6.      Plotting to harm the government and organizing protests

Ingabire was given time to speak and said she is "a mother, a Christian, and a politician" and could never think of committing such crimes.

She claimed that state institutions interfered inappropriately, particularly the Prosecution Office, which she said overstepped its authority. She cited the Rwandan Constitution, arguing that government institutions must respect each other's mandates.

Her lawyer, Me Gatera Gashabana, said she had voluntarily responded to a phone call to appear and that her detention made no sense, especially since she had come to cooperate with justice.

He explained that her personal belongings were seized, and the investigation claimed she had an unknown identity, even though she is a well-known political figure.

When informed of the charges, Ingabire was reminded that she had been questioned about them three years ago.

Gatera Gashabana argued that the court should not take on the responsibilities of the prosecution in summoning and detaining Ingabire. He raised constitutional objections using provisions from the Rwandan Constitution.

The prosecution then presented reasons for requesting Ingabire's provisional detention.

The prosecutor explained that when legal procedures are not followed, there are legal avenues to address such issues. He stated that the court had found valid grounds to summon Ingabire, and all actions were conducted lawfully.

The prosecution told the court that her detention was carried out through legal channels and that no court had ordered the Prosecution Office to detain her.

Article 106 of the Penal Code states that if individuals already implicated in a case mention someone else like Ingabire that person can be summoned for questioning.

Legal Objections Under Review

The Kicukiro Primary Court, after hearing both sides, assured Ingabire Victoire that they would carefully examine the legal objections raised, particularly where laws appear to conflict.

The prosecution was given time to explain the strong reasons for requesting her provisional detention.

Ingabire Umuhoza Victoire is the founder of the FDU-Inkingi political party which is not allowed to operate in Rwanda.

She was previously convicted of crimes including genocide denial, threatening Rwanda’s national security, and others, but was later pardoned by President Paul Kagame in 2018.

The hearing is ongoing, with the prosecution continuing to explain the nature of the six charges against her. Ingabire Umuhoza Victoire was arrested on June 19, 2025.