18.09.09 - ICTR/HATEGEKIMANA - TWELVE WITNESSES JET IN ARUSHA TO DEFEND HATEGEKIMANA

18 September 2009 By

Arusha, 18 September 2009 (FH) - A total of twelve witnesses are expected to arrive in Arusha this week-end for the defence of the former Rwandan military officer, Lieutenant Ildephonse Hategekimana whose trial resumes next Wednesday before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

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‘' Thirteen defence witnesses are on their way to Arusha. We are receiving twelve of them this afternoon and one next Monday,'' Ahlonko Dovi of Togo, accused lead defence counsel told Trial Chamber II, presided by Judge Arlette Ramaroson from Madagascar.

When the trial was adjourned July 13, the defence of Hategekimana had already fielded 12 witnesses out of the expected 25. The prosecution rested its case on May 4 after presenting 20 witnesses.

A native of Mugina, in the former prefecture of Gitarama (central Rwanda), Hategekimana, pleaded not guilty to all charges leveled against him. He is part of the 5 accused that the ICTR prosecutor, Hassan Bubacar Jallow, sought in vain to transfer to Rwandan courts.

Accused of genocide, complicity to genocide, murder and rape, the officer who commanded the small military camp of Ngoma, in Butare (southern Rwanda) in 1994, is notably accused of personally directing murderous attacks against Tutsis, and committing rapes.

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