During his initial appearance before the ICTR, Colonel Théoneste Bagosora pleaded not guilty to all charges against him.

Théoneste Bagosora is charged with: genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II.

The initial appearance of Théoneste Bagosora was held before Trial Chamber II, composed of Judge William Sekulé, presiding judge, and Judges Yakov Ostrovsky and Navanethem Pillay.

Théoneste Bagosora was assisted by Counsellor Ondingui, counsel assigned to him by the Office of the Registrar.

The date of the trial on the merits will be set at a later time.

Moreover, the trial of Jean-Paul Akayesu has been recessed until 12 May 1997.

The first half of the trial is complete. This portion was dedicated exclusively to the testimony of prosecution witnesses. The trial, which has been going on since 9 January 1997, has been recessed at the request of the defence who had hoped that the trial would resume between 20 and 25 June 1997.

The Trial Chamber granted the recess of the Jean-Paul Akayesu trial to allow defence counsel to prepare the defence of its client.

The Jean-Paul Akayesu trial is recessed until 12 May 1997.