EXGENDARMES TESTIFY FOR THE DEFENCE

Arusha, April 29th, 2003 (FH) - The trial of Former Rwandan Minister for Higher Education and genocide suspect Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda continued on Tuesday with the evidence of two exgendarmes. The testimonies of the two defence witnesses identified as RGM and RGG did not touch on Kamuhanda but was only about the capturing of several places by the RPF troops during the 1994 genocide.

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The gendarmes testified mainly about the invasion by RPF troops on several places in Kigali and its vicinity including military camps. They also told the chamber that the troops had taken over most key routes leaving Kigali town. The defence maintains that Kamuhanda could not have gone to Gikomero during the genocide as alleged by the prosecution because the route leading there from Kigali had been seized by the RPF troops. RGM was based in Jali camp while RGG was in Muhima camp when the presidential jet was shot down in April 6th 1994. Kamuhanda is charged with eight counts including genocide, complicity in genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, including rape and murder. These crimes were allegedly committed in his native Gikomero commune (Kigali province, central Rwanda). Kamuhanda's trial is before Trial Chamber II composed of Judges William Hussein Sekule of Tanzania (presiding), Arlette Ramaroson (Madagascar) Winston Churchill Matanzima Maqutu (Lesotho)PJ/FH (KH'0429e)