30.03.12 - WEEKLY PREVIEW - MUGESERA’S TRIAL OPENS NEXT WEEK BEFORE RWANDAN JUDICIARY

Arusha, March 30, 2012 (FH) –The trial of Rwandan scholar Leon Mugesera opens next week before a court in Kigali, while there will be resumption of the case of ex-minister Augustin Ngirabatware at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

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RWANDA

Mugesera case opens:The case of Rwandan scholar, Leon Mugesera, opens on Monday before a court in Kigali. Mugesera, who was deported from Canada, where he was living since 1993, made his initial appearance on February 2, 2012 on charges of planning the genocide, incitement to commit genocide and distributing weapons. In the absence of a lawyer of his choice, he has not decided yet if he would plead guilty or not. He is accused of making a speech in 1992 that allegedly triggered the Tutsi genocide. There are reports that Mugesera has refused to be interrogated in Kinyarwanda, a language he is alleged to have used in his speech.

 

ICTR

Resumption of Ngirabatware trial:

Hearing of the case of ex-Rwandan Planning Minister Augustin Ngirabatware resumes on Monday. The prosecution is expected to call its remaining two extra witnesses in attempt to challenge the defence of alibi for the accused. Already six out of eight witnesses have given their testimony in the session. Ngirabatware claims he was absent from Rwanda between April 23 and May 23, 1994. The ex-minister is charged with conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide or in the alternative, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, extermination and rape as crimes against humanity.

FK/NI/GF