26.01.12 - ICTR/TRANSFER - UWINKINDI'S DEFENCE REQUESTS REVIEW OF TRANSFER

26 January 2012 By

Arusha, January 26, 2012 (FH) - The defence team of genocide-accused Pastor Jean Uwinkindi on Wednesday requested the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to review and reconsider its decision confirming the transfer of the accused to Rwanda.

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The Pentecostal Church Pastor still under the custody of ICTR should be transferred to Rwanda no later than February 23rd.

However, the defence argues that the accused should not be transferred before an operational monitoring mechanism is put in place, emphasizing that ‘'the presence and active engagement of an independent monitors on full time basis was a determining factor for the Trial Chamber and the Appeals Chamber in reaching their decisions.''

‘'The accused is at risk of being removed to Rwanda at no further notice, notwithstanding the absence of any monitoring mechanism being in place,'' the motions signed on January 25 stated.

Uwinkindi, born in Rutsiro commune, Kibuye prefecture (west Rwanda) in 1951 was arrested on June 30, 2010 in Uganda as he was coming into the country from the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He was transferred to the seat of ICTR in Arusha, Tanzania on July 2, 2010.

NI/FK/GF