Ingabire is facing multiple charges, including forming and participating in a criminal group, inciting public disorder, undermining government, spreading false information and propaganda intended to damage Rwanda’s reputation abroad, disseminating false rumours, plotting against state authorities, and incitement to protest.

The charges are linked to training sessions conducted in 2021 involving members of the then-unregistered political group DALFA Umurinzi. Prosecutors allege that participants received training from foreign instructors using material including the book Blueprint for Revolution by Serbian author Srdja Popovic.

The sessions were reportedly coordinated by Sibomana Sylvain, who is also a co-accused in the case.

Request to postpone proceedings

Before the prosecution presented its case, Ingabire raised her hand and informed the court that she was not prepared to proceed.

“I understand the prosecution is about to present its case, but I am not ready to stand trial due to several obstacles,” she told the court.

She later explained that her legal team, Me Gatera Gashabana, Me Bikotwa Bruce, and Me Gashema Félicien, had written to the court on June 10, 2026, outlining challenges affecting her ability to prepare a proper defence.

Ingabire argued that she was not in a suitable condition to proceed, citing physical, emotional, and other constraints affecting her preparedness.

Grounds presented by the defence

She outlined four main grounds for requesting a postponement.
First, she said she had been unable to meet with her co-accused, who attended the same training sessions, which she considers necessary for preparing a coordinated defence. She stated that prison authorities had denied such meetings.

Second, she raised concerns over limited communication with her family, who are abroad. She said she has only been allowed to communicate with her husband, who is currently hospitalised, and has not been able to speak with her children. She argued that this restriction undermines her ability to prepare adequately, citing international standards on the rights of detainees to maintain family contact.

Third, she cited health and detention conditions, stating that basic personal care items, including toothpaste and skin lotion, were not consistently provided, affecting her well-being.

Fourth, she said she had been restricted in practising her religion and requested the court to ensure her basic rights, including freedom of worship, are respected.

Her lawyers informed the court that they had submitted multiple written complaints, including letters dated May 18, June 2, and June 11, 2026, outlining the difficulties faced in preparing the defence.

Me Bikotwa Bruce argued that there was no legal justification preventing Ingabire from meeting co-accused persons to prepare her case. Me Gatera Gashabana further requested that the trial chamber conduct a visit to the detention facility to assess her conditions firsthand and address the concerns raised.

Prosecution response

The prosecution dismissed the objections, arguing that none of the issues raised constituted valid legal grounds for adjournment.

“These are not legal obstacles to the continuation of the trial; they are emotional claims by the accused and her lawyers. We consider them delaying tactics,” the prosecutor stated.

The prosecution further argued that the inability to meet co-accused persons does not violate any legal provision and therefore cannot justify suspending proceedings. It added that concerns about communication with counsel would be more relevant, but no such restriction had been demonstrated.

On religious practice, the prosecution maintained that detainees in Rwanda retain the right to worship. Regarding complaints about hygiene items, it argued these were unrelated to the merits of the case and did not justify postponement.

Court’s direction

The presiding judge asked Ingabire how many meetings she would require with her co-accused to prepare her defence. She responded that at least four meetings would be necessary.

The court also instructed the defence to submit all documentation supporting claims that formal requests had been made to prison authorities and relevant institutions regarding access to co-accused and other facilities.

After hearing submissions from both sides, the court adjourned the session and scheduled the hearing to continue on June 16, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.