APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – The trial of Dieudonne Ishimwe also known as Prince Kid, a former CEO of Miss Rwanda beauty contest, adjourned on Friday until October 30 after requests made by the prosecution.
The trial of Ishimwe began before the Nyarugenge intermediate court in Kigali city before he was released in December last year.
The prosecution, however, argued that there could be some evidence presented that was never given full consideration on the first instance.
Prince Kid started organising Miss Rwanda in 2014 through his company, Rwanda Inspiration Backup, which has seen the annual event become one of the most popular in the country.
He was facing three charges including rape, soliciting or offering sexual favours, and harassment. Initial accusation details indicate that suspect cornered at several occasions the contestants in Miss Rwanda pageants, promising then that he had the ability to help them sail through the competition and win the crown.
Following the incident, Rwanda’s ministry of Youth and Culture decided to suspend the beauty pageant contest pending ongoing investigation into alleged sexual assault by organisers.
Reacting to the incident, Rwandan President Paul Kagame said that even though the issue [of sextortion] was reported in Miss Rwanda, in other institutions including in central government and in the army, sexual abuse is becoming a concern.
“It’s really bad and we should denounce it. But girls, women themselves should understand that men don’t own them,” Kagame said.
CU/as/APA
Rwanda: New date for ex pageant CEO’s sexual offense trial
