22.02.07 - ICTR/GOVERNMENT II - EX-MINISTERS’ TRIAL ADJOURNED FOR TWO MONTHS

Arusha, February 22, 2007 – The trial of four former ministers of the interim government in place during the Tutsi genocide in 1994 will adjourn for about two months, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) reported Thursday. The sessions will resume April 16, according to the calendar accepted by the Trial Chamber II. Two of the three judges will sit next week in another trial, that of the former prefect of Ruhengeri (north), Protais Zigiranyirazo, a brother-in-law of the ex-president Juvenal Habyarimana, whose death in a plane downing on April 6, 1994 sparked the genocide. The former ministers being tried together are the Minister of Health, Casimir Bizimungu, Minister of Commerce, Justin Mugenzi, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jerome Clement Bicamumpaka, and Civil Servants Minister, Prosper Mugiraneza. The proceedings started November 3, 2003. Currently, the defence is presenting its witnesses. Justin Mugenzi was the first to call defence witnesses, followed by Casimir Bizimungu. The others are awaiting their turn. The last witness of the session, which started January 16, 2007, was the former Rwandan Transport Minister Andre Ntagerura, acquitted by the ICTR in 2004. Ntagerura already testified in favour of another ICTR defendant, Brigadier General Gratien Kabiligi. The proceedings in this trial opened April 2002 have been suspended since last January 19, in anticipation of closing arguments set for May. AT/KD © Hirondelle News Agency