28.11.11 - ICTR/PROSECUTOR - ICTR CONCLUDES PROSECUTION'S SPECIAL DEPOSITIONS

Arusha, November 28, 2011(FH) - Prosecution at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has concluded special deposition hearings in all the three cases earmarked for these proceedings.

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The cases involved businessman Félicien Kabuga, former Defence Minister Augustin Bizimana and Major Protais Mpiranya, ex-commandant of late President Juvénal Habyarimana's Guard.

'We have concluded presenting witnesses in all the three cases'', Chief of Prosecutions, Richard Karegyesa told Hirondelle News Agency on Monday, declining to give more details.

Kabuga is accused of 11 counts, including conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide  whereas Mpiranya is charged with conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide or complicity in genocide, as alternative count, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

The third fugitive, Bizimana is facing charges of conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide, as alternative count, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.     

Such special hearings were being conducted to preserve the prosecution's evidence for future use in case the fugitives were to be arrested.

According to Karegyesa, ‘'the defence teams have not requested anything yet''.   

NI/ER/GF

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