CYANGUGU TRIAL ADJOURNED DUE TO LACK OF WITNESSES

Arusha, February 20, 2003 (FH) - Trial Chamber Three at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on Thursday adjourned to Monday the genocide trial of three former leaders from the south west Rwanda province of Cyangugu due to lack of witnesses. The socalled Cyangugu trial groups excommander of Karambo military camp in the SouthWest Rwanda province of Cyangugu, Samuel Imanishimwe, 41, former Cyangugu prefect, Emmanuel Bagambiki and exTransport and Communications Minister, André Ntagerura.

0 min 48Approximate reading time

The prosecution maintains that the three are responsible for massacres of ethnic Tutsis in Cyangugu during the 1994 genocide. Trial Chamber Three presiding judge, Lloyd George Williams of St. Kitts and Nevis, said that there were no witnesses available to testify for theremaining part of the week. Currently, the defence of Bagambiki is presenting its case. Earlier on Thursday, the court had been hearing protected witness ‘GLB'. Almost all of his testimony was heard in closed session. GLB is a former genocide suspect acquitted by a local court in Cyangugu. Prior to the testimony of GLB, former chief of the Rwandan Gendarmerie and genocide suspect at the ICTR, General Augustin Ndindiliyimana concluded his testimony for the defence of Bagambiki. This case is before Trial Chamber Three composed of judges Williams (presiding), Yakov Ostrovsky of Russia and Pavel Dolenc of Slovenia. GG/CE/FH(CY'0220e)