Prosper Mugiraneza was arrested in Cameroon on April 6, 1999 and transferred to the ICTR detention facility in Arusha in July 1999. His trial opened in November 2003.
He is charged jointly with former Minister of Health Casimir Bizimungu, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Jérome Bicamunpaka and former Minister of Trade Justin Mugenzi in a case known as "Government II".
Life sentences have been requested in December 2008 against the three accused. According to Judge Dennis Byron, the verdict is expected for the end of 2010.
Mugirenaza's American defence counsel, Tom Moran, asserts in his motion, which is available for reference on the ICTR's website, that "the length of time between his arrest and the expected time of delivery of the judgment far exceeds any delay envisioned as acceptable by the Security Council".
He therefore demands that the "only remedy for this violation of his rights is to dismiss the indictment with prejudice".
Several requests of this kind have been filed in the past but all were rejected as judges put forward the seriousness of the alleged charges.
ER/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency