KIGALI — The trial of Victoire Ingabire, an opposition leader, was postponed for one day after she appeared before the high court in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Ingabire faces charges of plotting unrest against the administration of President Paul Kagame's government.

Ingabire told the court that after one year in detention, she was physically and mentally unprepared for the trial proceedings. Her lawyers had previously notified prosecutors to request a postponement, and the presiding judge agreed to delay the start of the trial for one day.

Ingabire also stated that authorities prohibited her from communicating with family members residing outside Rwanda. She cited an inability to communicate with her co-accused. Prosecutors allege Ingabire maintained unlawful contact with nine other suspects, some of whom are members of the DALFA-Umurinzi political organization, which Ingabire leads.

The Rwandan government does not officially recognize the DALFA-Umurinzi organization. If convicted, Ingabire faces potential imprisonment for many years. She previously led the FDU-Inkingi coalition of opposition parties, which the Rwandan government never permitted to register.

Ingabire spent 16 years living in exile in the Netherlands before returning to Rwanda in 2010 to begin her political career. She was detained prior to contesting a presidential election. Ingabire was previously convicted of conspiracy to undermine the government and denying the 1994 Rwandan genocide, receiving a 15-year prison sentence. She was released in 2018 after receiving a presidential pardon.

President Paul Kagame's political party has governed Rwanda since 1994. Human rights organizations have accused the Rwandan government of rights violations, media restrictions, and suppression of political opposition. President Kagame denies these allegations.

No independent assessment of Victoire Ingabire’s claims was available.