NTEZIRYAYO AND KANYABASHI ALLEGEDLY ORDERED KILLING OF TUTSIS

Arusha, March 15, 2004 (FH) – Genocide survivor and 39th prosecution witness in the so called ‘' Butare trial'' told the International CriminalTribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on Monday that Alphonse Nteziryayo, former prefect of Butare, and Joseph Kanyabashi, former mayor of Ngoma commune,ordered soldiers, communal police and members of the Hutu population to hunt and kill Tutsis in April, 1994. Regarding Nteziryayo, the witness, code-named QG, alleged that the orders were issued at Gisagara market square in Ndora commune where the newly appointed prefect was addressing the population in a meeting also attended by his predecessor Sylvain Nsabimana and Joseph Kanyabashi.

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The three are co-accused in this trial with the former Minister of women and family affairs, Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, her son and former militia leader in Butare, Arsene Shalom Ntahobali and former mayor of Muganza commune, Elie Ndayambaje. “I encourage you to continue to ensure your security in Gisagara and flash out all the enemies. Don't flee,” the witness quoted the statement allegedly made by Nteziryayo during the meeting. QG went on explaining that immediately after the meeting, soldiers, communal police and members of the Hutu population began hunting for Tutsis in the bushes and surrounding forests. Earlier, the witness had alleged that former mayor of Ngoma commune, Joseph Kanyabashi had, in mid April, 1994, sent soldiers, communal police and some members of the population trained in handling weapons, to attack and kill Tutsis. “I could not go to the mayor to report the events because he was the one who sent them to attack and kill us,” QG answered the prosecutor who wanted to know why the witness did not report the acts of violence going around Ngoma commune. He recounted that after his house was attacked and violence escalated, he fled to Gisagara where he met other refugees. They spent a night there, but the following day they were forced by the authorities to go to Kabuye hill. On their arrival, QG said, soldiers, communal police and members of the population started shooting at refugees whom he estimated to be between 40,000 and 50,000. The witness concluded his examination in chief in the morning of the afternoon and the defence began cross-examining him. The “Butare trial” is taking place in Trial Chamber Two of the ICTR, composed of Judge William Hussein Sekule of Tanzania (presiding), Judge Arlette Ramaroson from Madagascar and Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda. NI/CE/FH(BT''0315e)