The Prosecution and the Defence concluded today their closing arguments in the trial of Aloys Simba, a retired Rwandan Army Lt. Colonel and former Member of Parliament. The Accused is charged with genocide and crimes against humanity based on his alleged role in the massacres in Gikongoro and Butare Prefectures.

The Prosecution called for the Trial Chamber I to convict and sentence the Accused to imprisonment for the remainder of his life for the role he played in the massacre of thousands of members of the Tutsi population in the two prefectures. It argued that the sentence was commensurate with the crimes charged.

According to the Prosecution, Simba was responsible for the massacre of Tutsis in Kibeho Parish, Murambi Technical School, Cyanika Parish and Kaduha Parish in Gikongoro as well as in Ruhashya Commune in Butare.

The Defence called for the acquittal of the Accused arguing that his client’s trial was based on a defective indictment and that the allegations in the indictment were “grossly deficient.” In addition, the Defence said that the Prosecution had not established Simba’s participation in the alleged crimes and that it had also failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that a joint criminal enterprise existed.

The trial opened on 30 August 2004 before Trial Chamber I, composed of Judges Erik Møse of Norway (presiding), Sergei Alekseevich Egorov of Russia, and Dennis Charles Michael Byron of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Prosecution closed its case on 10 November 2004. The Defence case commenced on 13 December 2004 and closed on 29 March 2005. Closing arguments were heard from 7-8 July 2005.

Aloys Simba was arrested in Senegal on 27 November 2001 and transferred to the United Nations Detention Facilities in Arusha on 11 March 2002. He is represented by Mr. Sadikou Alao of Benin and Ms. Beth Lyons of the United States. The Prosecution is headed by Mr. Richard Karegyesa of Uganda.