19.03.10 - ICTR/NGIRABATWARE - PROSECUTION CASE OF EX-RWANDAN PLANNING MINISTER ADJOURNED TO JUNE 21

Arusha, March 19, 2010 (FH) - The trial of genocide-accused former Rwandan Minister for Planning, Augustin Ngirabatware was on Thursday adjourned to June 21.

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When the trial resumes, the prosecution will present its last witness before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

Prosecuted for genocide and crimes against humanity the accused pleads not guilty. He is accused of having used public funds to finance the activities of the youth wing of his former ruling party, MRND, the Interahamwe militiamen who actively participated in the 1994 genocide.

Wallace Kapaya, ICTR's Prosecution Counsel told Hirondelle News Agency Friday that their last protected witness, a Belgian, would testify for seven days. A total of 17 witnesses have already testified before the Chamber presided by Judge William Sekule.

Most witnesses who testified before the Chamber were either staff members of the ministry of Planning or inhabitants of Nyanyumba commune in the former prefecture of Gisenyi.

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

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

NI/SC/GF

© Hirondelle News Agency