FORMER PREFECT BOYCOTTS COURT AS CYANGUGU TRIAL IS ADJOURNED

7 June 2001 By

Arusha, June 7, 2001 (FH) Former Rwandan prefect and genocide suspect Emmanuel Bagambiki boycotted his trial for the second day Thursday, after the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) rejected his request to cross-examine witnesses in the absence of his lead counsel. Former prefect Bagambiki has written a letter to the Chamber stating that he will only return to court if he is allowed to personally cross-examine witnesses in the absence of this lead counsel Vincent Lurquin of Belgium.

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He had earlier told the court that he has no confidence in his co-counsel Canadian Luc Boutin. Bagambiki is being jointly tried with former Transport Minister André Ntagerura and former Cyangugu military commander Samuel Imanishimwe. All have pleaded not guilty to charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. They are accused of massacres of Tutsis in Cyangugu, southwest Rwanda, during the 1994 genocide. The hearing on Thursday proceeded with the testimony of the 38th prosecution witness. The witness, dubbed "MF" to protect his identity, completed his cross-examination in a closed session. The case is before Trial Chamber Three of the ICTR, composed of judges Lloyd Williams of St. Kitts and Nevis (presiding), Judge Yakov Ostrovsky of Russia and Pavel Dolenc of Slovenia. The court on Thursday adjourned proceedings until further notice because Judge Ostrovsky is unwell. Judge Ostrovsky has been absent from court since Monday. SW/JC/FH (CY0607e)