However, during a status conference scheduled for tomorrow, the Trial Chamber is expected to admit written statements of six defense witnesses for the former Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jerome Bicamumpaka.
According to the Senior ICTR Attorney, Paul Ng'arwa, the prosecution would file its closing briefs not later than October 1, 2008, whereas the defense would do so before November 10, 2008.
Others jointly accused in the trial are: Casimir Bizimungu, former Minister for Health, Justin Mugenzi, ex-Minister for Commerce and Prosper Mugiraneza, former Minister for Civil Service. All have pleaded not guilty to genocide and crimes against humanity.
The prosecution closed its case on June 23, 2005 after fielding 57 witnesses. Mugiraneza , Mugenzi and Bicamumpaka were arrested on 6 April 1999 in Cameroon whereas Bizimungu was arrested on 11 February,1999 in Kenya.
According to the UN estimates, about 800, 000 people were killed during April-July, 1994 slaughter, mostly ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
The case which started in November 2003 is in Trial Chamber III presided by Judge Khalida Khan of Pakistan. Other judges are: Lee Muthoga (Kenya) and Francis Short (Ghana).
NI/SC
© Hirondelle News Agency
