25.07.14 – WEEKLY SUMMARY – SENUSSI CASE GIVEN TO TRIPOLI, WASHINGTON RENEWS COMMITMENT TO TRACK DOWN KABUGA

Arusha, July 25, 2014 (FH) – The International Criminal Court (ICC) this week confirmed a decision authorizing Libyan courts to try Abdullah Al-Senussi, a former close aide of Muammar Gaddafi.   Meanwhile, the US government reiterated its commitment to hunt down rich Rwandan businessman Félicien Kabuga who is wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

1 min 23Approximate reading time

RWANDA /DENMARKAppearance of Rwandan extradited from Denmark postponed again: The initial appearance of Emmanuel Mbarushimana, a Rwandan extradited from Denmark on July 3, was postponed on Tuesday for the second time by a court in the Rwandan capital Kigali. Mbarushimana is accused of participating in the 1994 genocide. The court postponed the hearing to August 12 to allow the accused to find a lawyer.

RWANDA/ICTR/USAWashington will “search the globe” to arrest Kabuga: US Ambassador-at-Large Stephen Rapp said in Kigali Thursday that his country will “search the globe” to bring to justice nine Rwandan genocide suspects still wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). They include rich businessman Félicien Kabuga, who is thought to have been the main financier of the Rwandan genocide. The US is participating in the search for them as part of its global “Rewards for Justice” programme, which was set up in 1998 and has led to the arrest of several suspects in various parts of the world.

SENEGAL/HABRÉAppeals hearing on Chadian request: The Extraordinary African Chambers (EAC) held an appeals hearing Wednesday on a request from Chad to be admitted as a civil party in the trial of former president Hissène Habré. The EAC said it would hand down its decision on August 13. A lower court had ruled that the Chadian government’s  request was inadmissible. 

ICC/LIBYATripoli gets Senussi case: The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Thursday unanimously confirmed a decision to let Libya take the case of Abdullah Al-Senussi, a former close aide of the late Muammar Gaddafi. The former Libyan intelligence chief is suspected by the ICC of crimes against humanity (murder and persecution) committed during the February 2011 uprising in his country. He is still held in Libya. The new authorities in Tripoli had asked to try him, promising to guarantee a free and fair trial.

ER/ JC