“The prosecutor filed the requests last week on May 9. We have asked the President of the Tribunal to designate a Trial Chamber to hear and determine the referral applications,” Chief of Appeals and Legal Advisory Division in the prosecution’s office, James Arguin, told Hirondelle News Agency on Monday.
Aloys Ndimbati is a former mayor of Gisovu commune, while Charles Ryandikayo was manager of a restaurant in Gishyita commune (Kibuye prefecture). Both men are charged with genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes for their role in the 1994 genocide.
The indictment alleges that Ndimbati personally attacked Tutsi civilians and brought militias and other perpetrators of violence to the area of Bisesero where thousands of men, women and children had sought refuge following previous attacks in the prefecture.
According to the indictment, Ryandikayo participated in the massacre of thousands of men, women and children who had congregated in Mubuga church, and directed militias and gendarmes to attack the church with guns, grenades, and other weapons.
The filing of the two applications comes after a decision by a Referral Chamber on May 8, 2012 to transfer the case of fugitive Ladislas Ntaganzwa to Rwanda for trial.
Three other similar decisions have been issued by the Tribunal involving Pastor Jean Uwinkindi and suspects Fulgence Kayishema and Charles Sikubwabo, who are also still on the run.
Another ruling is being awaited on referral application for genocide accused Bernard Munyagishari, the alleged leader of the Interahamwe militias in Gisenyi prefecture, North Rwanda.
FK/NI/GF