The Trial of Gregoire Ndahimana, a former bourgmestre of Kivumu Commune, Kibuye Prefecture during the genocide, began today before Trial Chamber III of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda composed of Judges Florence R. Arrey (presiding) and Aydin Sefa Akay. The third judge, Bakhtiyar Tuzmukhamedov, was excused as per Rule 15 bis of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence. Ndahimana is facing three counts of Genocide or Complicity in Genocide and crimes against humanity for extermination.

In its opening statement the Prosecution told the Chamber that it will introduce evidence to prove that Ndahimana is liable as a principal offender in planning, instigating, ordering, aiding and abetting the killings that took place in Nyange parish between 6 and 20 April 1994. The Prosecutor also stated that he will prove the superior responsibility of Ndahimana in the killings in Nyange church.

Immediately after its opening remarks, the Prosecution called its first witness.

The Defence will make its opening remarks once the Prosecution has completed its case.

Ndahimana, born in 1956, was arrested on 10 August 2009 at Kachiga Camp in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during a combined operation by the ICTR, the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUC) and the DRC law enforcement agencies. He was transferred to the United Nations Detention Facility in Arusha on 21 September 2009. He pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance on 28 September 2009.

The accused is represented by lead Counsel Bharat Chadha, while the prosecution team is led by Trial Attorney, Holo Makwaia.