19.06.10 - ICTR/UN - ICTR WILL NOT WIND UP ITS FIRST INSTANCE TRIALS THIS YEAR

Arusha, June 19, 2010 (FH) - President of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda judge Dennis Byron admitted on Friday before the UN Security council that it would be impossible for his institution to wind up first instance trials before December 31, as requested.

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Dennis Byron was in New York to address the Security Council on progress towards completing cases before the tribunal.

Two ongoing cases and two trials that have yet to begin would continue in 2011, he said.

Former minister of Planning Augustin Ngirabatware and former minister of Youth Callixte Nzabonimana are currently on trial, whereas former mayor Grégoire Ndahimana and former Captain Ildephonse Nizeyimana are waiting for theirs to open.

 "But we believe that our goal of completing the first instance trials within the next year can be achieved", Byron added, underlining that appeals trials won't be over before 2013.

At last, he called upon the States to cooperate for the arrest of eleven accused still on the run, including Felicien Kabuga who is alleged to be hiding in Kenya.

"The prosecutor has reported to me that Kenya continuously fails to comply with its cooperation obligations and I have brought his report to the attention of this distinguished Council for consideration and appropriate action".

ER/GF   

© Hirondelle News Agency