CHAMBER TWO SITS IN CLOSED SESSION THE WHOLE DAY

Arusha, February 3, 2003 (FH) - Trial Chamber Two of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, on Monday held the trial of former Rwandan Minister for Higher Education and genocide suspect Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda in closed session the whole day. On Thursday, January 30th the evidence of two defence witnesses, EM and CPE was already taken in camera, with only less than an hour of open session.

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The rules of procedure and evidence of ICTR provide that a trial chamber may order that proceedings be held in closed session for the following reasons;public order or morality, safety, security or nondisclosure of the identity of a victim or witness, and the protection of the interests of justice. 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). The trial is before Trial Chamber II composed of Judges William Hussein Sekule of Tanzania (presiding), Arlette Ramaroson (Madagascar) Winston Churchill Matanzima Maqutu (Lesotho). PJ/CE/FH (KH0230e)