CROSS EXAMINATION SUSPENDED AS WITNESS FALLS SICK

Arusha, February 11, 2004 (FH)- Trial Chamber Two of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was on Wednesday compelled to suspend cross-examination of the 29th prosecution witness in the so-called "Butare trial" as he had reportedly fallen ill and could not appear in court. The witness code-named "TW", was at the middle of his cross-examination by Pierre Boulé, counsel for one of the accused, Elie Ndayambaje former Mayor of Muganza commune in Butare prefecture.

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Ndayambaje is one of the six genocide suspects in this trial. ICTR prosecution counsel Sylvana Arbia, had suggested to the chamber that she introduces the next witness, "TP"; as they awaited the recovery of TW in order to save time. Boulé reluctantly accepted the suggestion, though he had proposed that for the sake of consistency, the testimony of TP wait until TW had completed his. Judge William Hussein Sekule of Tanzania, presiding judge for Chamber Two, ruled that the trial continue with the examination-in-chief of witness TP and that the continuation of cross-examination of TW would depend on how long it would take for him to recover. Other accused in this trial include former minister of Family and Women Affairs, Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, her son and militia leader, Arsene ShalomNtahobali, two former prefects of Butare, Sylvain Nsabimana and Alphonse Nteziryayo and former Mayor of Ngoma commune Joseph Kanyabashi. The trial is taking place in Trial Chamber Two of the ICTR composed of Judges William Hussein Sekule of Tanzania (presiding), Judge Arlette Ramaroson from Madagascar and Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa of Uganda. NI/KN/AT/FH (BT''02011e)