TRIAL RESUMES WITH THE EVIDENCE OF SEVENTH PROSECUTION WITNESS

Arusha, January 19, 2004 (FH) -The trial of four former Rwandan cabinet ministers in the interim government resumed on Monday before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda with the testimony of the seventh prosecution witness. The trial formerly known as Government Two had been adjourned last December for the end of year break.

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The suspects in the trial are Casimir Bizimungu, former minister for health, Jérôme Bicamumpaka the former minister of Foreign Affairs, that of Commerce, Justin Mugenzi and Prosper Mugiraneza, former minister of Public Service. They are each charged with six counts including genocide and crimes against humanity. The seventh prosecution witness dubbed GAB to keep his identity secret told the trial chamber that he had attended a meeting at his commune called by senior government officials on the night of April 6th 1994 after the shooting down of the President Juvenal Habyarimanas jet. The meeting was held at the house of Joseph Nzirorera's mother in Mukingo Commune (Ruhengeri Prefecture). Nzirorera was the President of the Transitional National Assembly and the Secretary-General of the MRND. During the meeting, Bizimungu allegedly said, "the Tutsis have killed our president and all of them (Tutsis) have to be killed", according to the witness. GAB a former soldier, added that on the morning of 7th April, roadblocks were mounted within the commune to screen Tutsis followed by the massacres. He also confessed to having killed three people during the genocide. He said he killed one of the three persons at a roadblock following orders by Bizimungu. The witness continues with his chief examination on Tuesday. The so-called Government II trial is before Trial Chamber Two where Judge Asoka de Zoyza Gunawardana (Sri Lanka) is presiding assisted by judges Lee Muthoga (Kenya) and Khalida Rashid Khan (Pakistan). PJ/KN/AT/FH (GVII'0119e)