TRIAL ADJOURNED AS RULING ON AN EXPERT WITNESS AWAITED

Arusha, April 4, 2003 (FH) - Trial Chamber Two of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on Thursday adjourned the hearing of a genocide case involving, Juvenal Kajelijeli, former Mayor of Mukingo commune in Ruhengeri prefecture, North West Rwanda, to Monday. Before the adjournment, the chamber heard the evidence of the twentysixth defense witness identified only as ‘FMB' to shield his identity.

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He delivered his testimony in closed session for almost the whole day. He concluded his testimony. Professor Lennox Hinds of the United States, lead counsel for the accused told Hirondelle that he expects the chamber to hear testimony from a social linguist Professor, FrançoisXavier Bangamwabo. He said before the commencement of Professor Bangamwabo's testimony, the chamber would deliver a ruling on a motion by the prosecution, objecting to Bangamwabo testifying as an expert witness. Professor Bangamwabo is expected to be the last defense witness before the accused, Kajelijeli,testifies in his own defense. The case is before Trial Chamber Two, composed of Tanzanian Judge, William Sekule (presiding), Arlette Ramaroson of Madagascar and Winston Churchill Matanzima Maqutu of Lesotho. NI/FH (KJ'0404e)