RWANDAN EX-MILITARY LEADER'S INITIAL APPEARANCE POSTPONED

Arusha, November 6th ,2000 (FH)- The initial appearance in court of former Rwandan military leader and genocide suspect Tharcisse Muvunyi was on Monday postponed following a request by the defence for more time to study the corrected indictment. Muvunyi's initial indictment dated January 21, 2000 was corrected on November 3rd.

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The defence said it had got the corrected version only ten minutes before the hearing. According to the indictment, Muvunyi is charged with five counts of genocide or, in the alternative, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide and crimes against humanity, including rape. Despite the prosecution's argument that the changes on the indictment have nothing to do with the substance, presiding judge William Sekule of Tanzania ruled that the defence should be given more time to study it and to consult with their client. The hearing has been postponed to Wednesday, November 8, 2000