15.07.10 - ICTR/NZABONIMANA - NZABONIMANA'S TRIAL ADJOURNED TO OCTOBER 11

Arusha, July 15, 2010 (FH) - The defence case of genocide-accused and former Rwandan minister of Youth, Callixte Nzabonimana was on Thursday adjourned before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to October 11. 

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Nzabonimana's defence case opened on April 14, 2010.  The prosecution concluded its case on April 13, 2010 after fielding 19 witnesses.

The accused is facing five charges of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, extermination and murder. He denied the charges.

According to the indictment, Nzabonimana allegedly played an important role in the massacres of Tutsis in his native prefecture of Gitarama, central Rwanda . He was an active member of the then ruling party, MRND, at his prefecture and the national level. 

Nzabonima was arrested in the western part of Tanzania on February 18, 2008. The next day he was transferred to the United Nations Detention Facility (UNDF) in Arusha at headquarters of the UN Tribunal.

The case is presided by Ugandan Judge Salomy Balungi Bossa. 

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