After a month-long session, the joint trial of Clément Kayishema and Obed Ruzindana was adjourned on Thursday 8 May 1997. The trial, which was adjourned to al1ow for the recommencement of the Jean-Paul Akayesu trial, shall resume on a date to be agreed upon later by all parties concerned. For the moment, the Tribunal has only one courtroom for both Trial Chambers and three trials under way. During the first phase of the Kayishema-Ruzindana trial, the Prosecutor presented a total of l4 witnesses, and there are about thirty more prosecution witnesses to be presented.

The joint trial of Clément Kayishema and Obed Ruzindana began on 11 April 1997 before Trial Chamber 2 of the ICTR composed of Judges William Sekule, the Presiding Judge. Yakov Ostrovsky and Taffazal Hossein Khan. Clément Kayishema and Obed Ruzindana are being tried for their alleged participation in the same transaction of the massacres of Tutsis which took place in Kibuye prefecture from April to June 1994 ".

Jean-Paul Akayesu trial to resume an 21 May 1997

On 21 May 1997, the trial of Jean-Paul Akayesu, which had adjourned on 7 March 1997 at the request of defence counsel, will resume before Trial Chamber I, following a two-month break. This second phase of the trial will begin with the presentation and cross-examination of the final witness for the Prosecution and then proceed with the presentation of the first defence witnesses. Jean-Paul Akayesu is charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions.