22.01.09 - ICTR/KALIMANZIRA - KALIMANZIRA TRIAL RESUMES NEXT MONDAY

Arusha, 22 January 2009 (FH) - The trial of former Rwandan senior civil servant in the ministry of Interior charged with genocide and crimes against humanity, Callixte Kalimanzira resumes next Monday before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

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Kalimanzira's French lead defence counsel, Arthur Vercken told Hirondelle News Agency that his team expected to field a total of 19 defence witnesses including the accused himself between next Monday and February 5, when the session ends.

At the time of adjournment on December 4, last year, 24 defence witnessed had already testified for the accused Kalimanzira, an agronomist by training.

The prosecutor rested his case on 30 June, 2008 after having called 24 witnesses in 16 days of hearings allowing the defence to start its case on November 2008.

The most serious accusations against Kalimanzira relate to the role he played in the massacre of thousands of Tutsis who had sought refuge on Kabuye Hill, in the sub-prefecture of Gisagara (Butare prefecture,) towards the end of April 1994.

NI/GF

© Hirondelle News Agency