CYANGUGU TRIAL RESUMES AFTER 10-DAY SUSPENSION

Arusha, February 12, 2001(FH) The genocide trial of three former Rwandan officials charged with crimes in the southwest Rwandan prefecture of Cyangugu in 1994 resumed Monday before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), after a 10-day suspension. Proceedings continued with the testimony of the 21st witness for the prosecution.

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The Cyangugu trial groups former Transport Minister André Ntagerura, former prefect of Cyangugu Emmanuel Bagambiki, and the ex-commander of Cyangugu military barracks Samuel Imanishimwe. They are jointly accused of genocide and crimes against humanity. All three have pleaded not-guilty. The witness, dubbed MG to protect his identity, described himself as a Tutsi who was living in Kamembe commune, Cyangugu prefecture in 1994. He told the court he was arrested and detained at Kamembe market place, before being taken by soldiers to Cyangugu military barracks and then to Gatandara. MG said people were being massacred because of their ethnicity. He also described to the court how some were tortured. According to the prosecution, some 100,000 Tutsis were killed in Cyangugu prefecture in only 20 days. Massacre sites mostly frequently mentioned by witnesses include the Kamarampaka stadium in Cyangugu, the Cyangugu cathedral and the parishes of Shangi and Mibilizi, Nyarushishi, Gashirabwoba and Gatandara. The case is being conducted before Trial Chamber Three of the ICTR, composed of Judges Lloyd Williams of Jamaica (presiding), Yakov Ostrovsky of Russia and Pavel Dolenc of Slovenia. The trial is alternating with that of former Rwandan mayor Laurent Semanza before the same chamber. Semanza’s trial is scheduled to resume on March 5th. AT/JC/FH (CY_0212E )