06.05.11 - ICTR/NZABONIMANA - NZABONIMANA'S DEFENCE CASE CONCLUDED

6 May 2011 By

Arusha, May 6, 2011 (FH) - The defence case of genocide-accused and former Rwandan Minister for Youth, Callixte Nzabonimana was on Friday declared closed before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) after presentation of 37 witnesses.

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‘'The evidence phase in the case of Callixte Nzabonimana is declared closed,'' Presiding Judge Solomy Balungi Bossa said and adjourned the case sine die.

Earlier the Presiding Judge ordered the parties to submit their written closing briefs by July 5, 2011 and said the date for oral submission would be announced later.

Previously the defence case was declared formally closed on April 7, 2011 with the exception of two alibi witnesses who were heard this week alongside one prosecution rebuttal witness. The prosecution fielded a total of 20 witnesses to support allegations against the accused.

Nzabonimana is facing five charges of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, extermination and murder. The Prosecution presents him as the main instigator of the killings in his home prefecture of Gitarama.

Nzabonimana, a member of the former presidential party, MRND, was arrested in Tanzania on February 18, 2008. His defence case started on April 14, 2010 after the prosecution rested its case a day before.His trial opened on November 9, 2009.

NI/FK/GF