07.04.2012 - WEEKLY SUMMARY - ICC WANTS GADDAFI’S SON, MUGESERA’S TRIAL SET FOR MAY 9

Arusha, April 07, 2012 (FH) – Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) declared on Wednesday that Libya had to make arrangements to hand over Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam. At Nyarugenge tribunal in Kigali, judges announced on Tuesday that the trial of extradited Rwandan genocide suspect Leon Mugesera was postponed to May 9, 2012.

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ICC : Judges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) declared on Wednesday that Libya had to make arrangements to hand over Muammar Gaddafi's son, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi who is wanted by the court to face charges of crimes against humanity committed after February 2011.He has been held by a militia in Zintan since he was arrested on November 19, 2011.

However, Libya refused on Thursday to surrender Saif al-Islam to the ICC. A government spokesman said he should be tried in Libya, adding that a special prison and court was being built in preparation for the trial. He did not say when the trial would take place.Saif al-Islam faces the death penalty if found guilty by a Libyan court, but only a prison term if convicted by the ICC.

ICTR

Ngirabatware trial adjourned: The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Monday adjourned until further notice the hearing of the case of former Rwandan Planning Minister, Augustin Ngirabatware after the prosecution has completed presentation of its rebuttal witnesses to challenge the accused defence of alibi. The accused Counsel, Mylene Dimitri told Hirondelle News Agency after the adjournment that she had already filed a rejoinder motion to call five witnesses to challenge the testimony of the prosecution rebuttal witnesses. 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.

RWANDA

Mugesera case: Judge Sauda Murererehe from Nyarugenge tribunal in Kigali announced on Tuesday that the trial of extradited Rwandan genocide suspect Leon Mugesera was postponed to May 9, and that debates would take place in kinyarwanda.The Rwandan academic was extradited from Canada in January this year after a legal battle lasting more than 15 years. He is accused of inciting genocide in a 1992 speech during a meeting of his political party in northern Rwanda.

NI/GF