The parties concluded their closing arguments in late April. The defence has sought for an acquittal, whereas prosecution has pleaded for harsh sentence to deter others from committing such offences.
The prosecution claimed that it had proved that the accused knowingly and willfully perverted the course of justice by corruptly soliciting and procuring false testimony.
Nshogoza was charged for attempting to persuade prosecution witnesses to give false testimony in favour of former minister of Education and Culture, Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda, who has already been convicted for genocide and sentenced by the Tribunal for life imprisonment in 2004.
The prosecution concluded its case on February 18 after presenting five witnesses whereas the defence fielded 11 witnesses, including the accused.
Nshogoza surrendered himself to the Tribunal at its seat in Arusha, Tanzania on February 8, 2008 and his trial began on February 9, 2009.
The ICTR has so far this year, has rendered two judgments - on Priest Emmanuel Rukundo (who was jailed 25 years) and Callixte Kalimanzira, former acting Interior Minister during the genocide, to 30 years jail. Another judgement is awaited on former Kigali Governor, Tharcisse Renzaho, on 14 July.
SC/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency
