BURUNDI/JUSTICE: In Burundi, the prosecutor in the trial of an opposition leader accused of racial hatred requested that he be imprisoned for five years. Léonce Ngendakumana, president of the main opposition coalition, is on trial in relation to a letter sent in February to the UN in which he accused the ruling CNDD-FDD party of making plans similar to those that resulted in genocide in neighbouring Rwanda in 1994.
ICC/CÔTE D’IVOIRE: The International Criminal Court (ICC) postponed to September 29 confirmation of charges in the case of former Ivorian Youth Minister Charles Blé Goudé. They had previously been scheduled to start on September 22. According to a Court communiqué, the postponement was granted at the request of the defence.
ICC/GAZA: ICC Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda on Tuesday refuted suggestions in the media that she is avoiding investigating alleged war crimes in Gaza because of political pressure. She said in a statement that the ICC has no jurisdiction in Gaza because Palestine has not ratified the Treaty of Rome nor signed a declaration accepting the jurisdiction of the ICC.
ICC/KENYA: As the trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto resumed at the ICC, the Court on Thursday began hearing one of nine recalcitrant witnesses whom the judges ordered to appear at the request of the Prosecutor. Witness “604”, who appeared via videoconference from Nairobi, was on the original list of prosecution witnesses. But as soon as he entered the box on Thursday, he said he had lied to prosecution investigators.
NORWAY/RWANDA: A Norwegian court on Wednesday confirmed on appeal that Rwandan Eugène Nkuranyabahizi, suspected of participating in the 1994 genocide, can be extradited to his country. Nkuranyabahizi may as a last resort appeal to the Norwegian Supreme Court. If the decision is confirmed, it is up to the Justice Ministry to implement it.
NEXT WEEKICC: The trial of Kenyan Deputy President William Ruto and journalist Joshua Sang continues with hearings of witnesses brought by the prosecution. FRANCE: A Paris court is scheduled to examine on Thursday the appeal of two Rwandans, Octavien Ngenzi and Tito Barahira, against their case referral to the Cour d’Assises (criminal court).
ER/ JC