The Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda on Thursday closed his case against François Karera, subject to cross-examination of one witness and the submission of an expert report.

Karera, former Prefect of Kigali-Rural, is charged with genocide and crimes against humanity. Hundreds of Tutsi are alleged to have been killed on the instructions or with the encouragement of the Accused in April and May 1994 in Nyamirambo, Kigali; Rushashi Commune, in Kigali-Rural; and at Ntarama Church, south of Kigali.

The trial began on 9 January 2006 before Trial Chamber I composed of judges Erik Møse, presiding, Sergei Alekseevich Egorov and Florence Rita Arrey. The Chamber heard 18 Prosecution witnesses in the course of four full trial days and 12 half days.

The Chamber heard the Prosecution case concurrently with the Defence case in the Mpambara trial. Under the ICTR Completion Strategy, cases are scheduled using a combined twin-tracking and shift-system to maximize the Tribunal’s efficiency.

The Defence case in the Karera trial will commence in May. Meanwhile, the Chamber will continue to hear the “Military I” trial, which involves four accused.

Karera is represented by Carmelle Marchessault and Steven Kelliher both from Canada.

The prosecution team includes Charles Adeogun-Phillips, Peter Tafah, Memory Maposa and Florida Kabasinga.

In addition to Karera, 27 accused are presently on trial or awaiting judgement. The Tribunal has handed down judgments involving 26 persons, of whom 23 were convicted and three acquitted.