22.01.10 - ICTR/NGIRABATWARE - TRIAL OF EX-RWANDAN PLANNING MINISTER RESUMES MONDAY

Arusha, January 22, 2010 (FH) - The trial of former Rwandan Minister for Planning, Augustin Ngirabatware, resumes on Monday before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

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ICTR prosecution counsel, Wallace Kapaya, told Hirondelle News Agency Friday that the coming session which ends on March 12, would feature 17 prosecution witnesses. Six witnesses were presented during the last session which ended on October 22.

The indictment, among others, alleges that Ngirabatware advanced to the then ruling National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND) funds from his ministry to be used for the purchase of weapons for its youth wing, the Interahamwe militiamen.

The trial of Ngirabatware, who is also son in-law of the former Rwandan wealthy businessman, Felicien Kabuga, commenced on September 23, 2009. Kabuga, often referred to as financier of the 1994 Rwandan genocide is among the most wanted suspect by ICTR.

Arrested in Germany on September 17, 2007, the former minister has been in the custody of the ICTR since October 8, 2008.

Ngirabatware holds a doctorate in economy from the University of Freiburg, Switzerland.

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© Hirondelle News Agency