27.10.11 - ICTR/NGIRABATWARE - EX-PLANNING MINISTER'S TRIAL ADJOURNED TO NEXT YEAR

27 October 2011 By

Arusha, October 27, 2011 (FH) -The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Wednesday adjourned the genocide trial of former Rwandan Planning Minister Augustin Ngirabatware to the end of January 2012, whereas the evidence phase had been expected to conclude this year. Three defence witnesses have still to testify.

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"Because of the schedule of cases of the Tribunal and involvement of judges in those cases, we will not be coming back to this case until January 30, 2012," presiding Judge William Sekule said as he adjourned the proceedings.

The trial began on September 22, 2009.

Ngirabatware is charged with conspiracy to commit genocide; genocide or, in the alternative, complicity in genocide; direct and public incitement to commit genocide; and extermination and rape as crimes against humanity.

The indictment alleges that around early April 1994, the accused engaged in a joint criminal enterprise with other authorities in his native Nyamyumba commune (Gisenyi prefecture) in northern Rwanda, to exterminate Tutsi civilians as part of a widespread and systematic attack against the Tutsi population.

Ngirabatware was arrested in Germany on September 17, 2007 and transferred to ICTR custody on October 8, 2008. He is the son-in-law of Felicien Kabuga, the alleged sponsor of the 1994 genocide, who is still on the run.

FK/NI/JC