The defence is expected to call its two last witnesses within the week. They include protected witness DWAN 114, who will testify through video link from Vienna, Austria and witness DWAN 112 expected to travel from Togo to the seat of the Tribunal in Arusha, to give his evidence.
Thirty-three witnesses have already testified for Ngirabatware, who 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.
Immediately after the defence testimony, the court is anticipated to receive eight extra witnesses from the prosecution, in attempt to dispute alibi evidence for the accused who claims that he was not in Rwanda as of April 23 to May 23, 1994.
Ngirabatware alleges that he had visited Senegal and Swaziland within the contentious period. According to the Rules of the Tribunal, the defence is also entitled to call witnesses to produce "evidence in rejoinder" to contradict such rebuttal evidence, if need arises.
FK/NI/GF
© Hirondelle News Agency