BEFORE THE ICC
Commencement of confirmation of charges for Kenyan officials: Confirmation of charges hearing for other three senior Kenyan officials suspected of crimes allegedly committed after general election in 2007 takes off on September 21. The session is expected to last until September 24. The officials involved are Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura and former Police Chief Mohamed Hussein Ali.
Confirmation of charges hearing for Mbarushimana continues: The session for confirmation of charges hearing for Callixte Mbarushimana, a Rwandan rebel leader, continues on Monday (September 19). The session is expected until September 21. The alleged Executive Secretary of the Forces Démocratiques pour la Libération du Rwanda (FDLR) since July 2007 is suspected of crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed in 2009 in the Kivu Province, Eastern part of Democratic Republic of Congo.
Continuation of Bemba's trial: There would be continuation of trial of Jean-Pierre Bemba between September 19 and 23 and the prosecution is expected to continue presenting its witnesses. Bemba, a Congolese Senator and leader of the Movement for the Liberation of Congo, is charged with crimes against humanity and war crimes for his alleged command responsibility in crimes committed by his troops in Central African Republic between 2002 and 2003.
TRIALS AT ICTR
Presentation of closing arguments in Ndahimana's trial: The parties in the trial of former Mayor of Kivumu Commune in Kibuye prefecture (Western Rwanda), Gregoire Ndahimana, will present their closing arguments on September 21 and 22, 2011. Ndahimana is charged with genocide or complicity in genocide, in the alternative and extermination as crime against humanity.
Rejoinder case in Nizeyimana trial starts: Four defence witnesses are expected to testify on September 20 and 21, for genocide-accused Captain Ildephonse Nizeyimana, in the so called "Rejoinder Case" to contradict evidence given by three additional prosecution witnesses. The three prosecution witnesses testified last week in the so called "Rebuttal Case" to opposed Nizeyimana's alibi defence that he was not in Butare prefecture, (South Rwanda) during genocide between April and May, 1994. Nizeyimana is charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Continuation of Kabuga's special deposition: On Monday (September 19) there will be continuation of special deposition proceedings in the case of Felicien Kabuga, the most wanted genocide-fugitive. Judge Vagn Joensen, the ICTR vice-president, is conducting the proceedings in closed session. The proceedings, which began on May 23, 2011, do not amount to trial, but the exercise is being conducted to preserve evidence for future trial in case the alleged financier of the genocide is arrested. Kabuga is charged with conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide, public and direct incitement to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Planning Minister's trial resumes: The trial of former Rwandan Planning Minister Augustin Ngirabatware resumes on September 19, and the defence is expected to continue presenting its witnesses. So far 16 witnesses have testified to challenge charges of genocide or in the alternative conspiracy to commit genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide and crimes against humanity, the defendant is facing.
SM/FK/ER/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency