U.N. genocide tribunal convicts mastermind of Rwandan genocide

(CNN) - The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda on Thursday convicted the alleged mastermind of the Rwandan genocide and sentenced him to life in prison for genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.

It is the first time the tribunal has convicted high-level officials for the 100-day genocide in 1994 that convulsed Rwanda and left an estimated 800,000 people dead. Theoneste Bagosora, 67, a colonel in the Rwandan army, was found guilty along with two other men - Major Aloys Ntabakuze and Lieutenant Colonel Anatole Nsengiyumva. All were sentenced to life in prison. The tribunal - located in Arusha, Tanzania - acquitted General Gratien Kabiligi, the former head of military operations, and ordered his immediate release.

CNN Chief International Correspondent Christiane Amanpour - who covered the aftermath of the genocide for CNN  - called the verdicts "a real turning point and a milestone in justice." "It sends a message that right up the chain of command, you cannot hide," Amanpour said. The court said Bagosora was a key figure in drawing up plans for the genocide. A Hutu, Bagosora was convicted of ordering Hutu militia to slaughter rival Tutsis during the 100-day spree of violence.