27.01.10 - ICTR/KAREMERA - NZIRORERA'S DEFENCE CASE ADJOURNED TO MONDAY

Arusha, January 27, 2010 (FH) - The defence case of  genocide-accused Joseph Nzirorera before  the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has been adjourned to Monday due to lack of witnesses, reports Hirondelle Agency.

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Nzirorera, who is the former Secretary General of then ruling party MRND, is jointly accused with Mathieu Ngirumpatse, former MRND President and his Vice President, Edouard Karemera. Karemera has already completed his defence case.

The three -men are held responsible for their superior responsibility for the crimes allegedly committed by their subordinates during the 1994 killings. The defence case of Nzirorera resumed January 18. Already four witnesses have testified this session.

On Wednesday,Dick Prudence Munyeshuri, an investigator with the accused 's defence team told the court that protected witness GAP wanted to postpone his testimony last week, shortly before the court commenced the session, but the team advised him to formally inform the Chamber his intention which, however, he did not do and instead proceeded giving evidence against the defence.

The witness gave different account from his written statement of November 18, 2009.

The witness claimed he has opted to disclose the truth before the Tribunal.

He alleged that Defence Counsel Peter Robinson had promised to give him 500 US dollars before he gave evidence and would give another 500 US dollars after giving evidence in favor of his client [Nzirorera].

The Chamber is yet to make a ruling on the defence's oral application to sanction the witness for giving false testimony in the court.

NI/SC

© Hirondelle News Agency