RWANDA
Anti-ICTR demonstration: A peaceful demonstration took place in Kigali Monday to protest against the February 4 acquittal of two former ministers by the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). The demonstration was called by the main genocide survivors’ group, Ibuka.
Mugesera challenges the evidence: Linguist Léon Mugesera, on trial for incitement to genocide in a November 1992 speech, on Tuesday challenged the authenticity of prosecution evidence against him. He claimed the speech submitted to the court was not authentic, and challenged the prosecutor to produce the original. Mugesera was extradited from Canada a year ago.
NORWAY
Former businessman convicted: A Norwegian court on Thursday sentenced Rwandan former businessman Sadi Bugingo to 21 years in jail for contributing to the massacre of more than 2,000 Tutsis in 1994. This Norway’s first ever genocide trial.
ICC
Kenyatta requests trial postponement: Kenyan Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who is a front runner in March 4 presidential elections, on Thursday asked for a postponement of his trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC). The request came during a status conference on the trials of Kenyatta and three other prominent Kenyans accused of crimes against humanity linked to 2007-2008 election violence. Their trials are scheduled to start on April 10 and 11.
NEXT WEEK
Confirmation of charges hearings are due to start Tuesday before the ICC in the case of former Ivorian president Laurent Gbagbo. At the end of these hearings, the judges will deliberate and decide whether the evidence is solid enough to proceed to trial. Gbagbo is accused in connection with widespread violence after elections in December 2010.
ER/JC