The ICTR Trial Chamber 1, composed of Judge Laïty Kama (presiding), Judge William Sekule and Judge Tafazzal Khan, on Thursday 26 June 1997 held two sessions in the cases of Lt. Col. Anatole Nsengiyumva and Mr. Ferdinand Nahimana.

In the first session, the Chamber received and granted a motion filed by the Prosecution for measures to be ordered for the protection of its witnesses, who will appear in the trial of Lt. Col. Anatole Nsengiyumva. It however ruled that the Prosecution make sure that once the witnesses were in protective custody, their identities and related information are disclosed to the Defence in good time to enable them to prepare their case.

During consideration of the motion, the Defence prayed that the rights of the accused were supreme and should be safeguarded, and the Prosecution argued that recent reports in Rwanda show that there was an increase in incidents of harrasment and intimidation against potential witnesses.

The Chamber adjourned the hearing of another motion on witnesses protection filed by the Defence due to late reply to the same by the Prosecution. The motion will be heard at a later date to be fixed by the Tribunal.

In the second session, the Chamber received and granted a motion filed by the Prosecution for measures to be ordered for the protection of witnesses to crimes in the case against Mr. Ferdinand Nahimana.

It also ordered that the Prosecution disclose the names and identity of the witnesses to the Defence in good time for it to prepare its defence case.

The Chamber further ordered the Prosecution to disclose to the Defence all evidence which will be used in the case against Mr. Nahimana. The case was adjourned to a date to be fixed later.