ARUSHA, Tanzania - The former prefect of Rwandan capital Kigali was Tuesday sentenced to life for genocide-related crimes by the UN-backed war crimes court trying masterminds of the country's 1994 massacre.

Tharcisse Renzaho, former Rwandan Kigali Governor, seen at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) in Arusha, Tanzania Tuesday, July 14, 2009. A U.N. war crimes tribunal sentenced a former governor in Rwanda to life in prison Tuesday after finding that he was one of the main perpetrators of genocide in the African country in 1994. (AP Photo/Sukhdev Chhatbar) The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) found Tharcisse Renzaho, who was the Kigali's administrative chief, guilty of genocide, assassination and rape over the murder of more than 100 Tutsis by Hutu militia in a church in the capital.

"Renzaho played an important part in connection with the commencement and cessation of the operation," said chief judge Erik Mose, referring to the church massacre.

"Over 100 Tutsi refugees were killed. He was also involved in the removal of bodies, he said, adding that the accused "made remarks encouraging the sexual abuse of (Tutsi) women".

"The chamber sentences Tharcisse Renzaho to a single sentence of life imprisonment," Mose said.

The UN estimates that Hutu extremists killed some 800,000 people, mainly minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus, during the 100-day genocide.