02.09.11 -ICTR/DENMARK - ICTR ALLOWS PROTECTED EVIDENCE BE USED IN GENOCIDE INVESTIGATION IN DENMARK

Arusha, September 2, 2011 (FH) - The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Thursday waived protective measures enjoyed by two of its protected witnesses for the purpose of disclosing their evidence to the Danish judiciary to facilitate investigations and eventual prosecutions of genocide cases.

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The evidence of the protected witnesses in question include that of EV given on 25, 26, and 27 February 2004 together with prosecution exhibit 82, and of another witness code-named RT delivered on 10 and 11, March 2004 alongside prosecution exhibits 86 and any other exhibits tendered under seal during their testimonies.

The two witnesses testified for prosecution in the case popularly known as ‘'Butare Trial'' involving six accused from Butare prefecture, South Rwanda, including the only woman to be indicted by the UN Tribunal, Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, former Rwandan Minister for Women and Family Affairs.

All of them have been convicted for genocide and crimes against humanity and sentenced to serve various jail terms by the lower court on June 24, 2011. They are now awaiting appeal hearing.

‘'The Chamber Understands that witnesses EV and RT could facilitate investigations and eventual proceedings by Special International Crimes Office of Denmark in connection to crimes committed in Rwanda in 1994,'' reads part of decision which does not specify in which case the two witnesses will be heard.

In a previous decision issued on May 10, 2011, the chamber already disclosed to the Danish judiciary the particulars and testimony of another witness, RV.

The Danish judiciary had been investigating several cases of genocide suspects since 2002.

NI/FK/ER/GF

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