The trial of Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda, formerly Minister of Higher Education, Research and Culture in the interim Government of Rwanda in 1994 today re-opened before the reconstituted Trial Chamber II composed of Judges William Sekule (Tanzania), presiding, Winston Matanzima Maqutu (Lesotho) and Arlette Ramaroson (Madagascar).

The trial, which had initially opened on 17 April 2001, was adjourned following the death of the Trial Chamber’s presiding Judge Laïty Kama (Senegal) on 6 May 2001.

The trial re-opened today with the testimony of an expert witness before proceeding in camera. The Prosecution team for the trial is led by Mr Douglas Moore (Ireland) and includes Ifeoma Ojemeni (Nigeria) and Mr. Ibukunolu Babajide (United Kingdom).

Kamuhanda, who was appointed Minister in the interim Government on 25 May 1994, is facing nine counts charging him with genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide. Other charges include crimes against humanity including rape, murder and extermination. He is represented by Ms Aicha Condé (Guinea) and Ms Grace Amakye (United Kingdom).

The accused is alleged to have supervised killings in Gikomero Commune in Kigali-Rural Prefecture. He is further alleged to have personally led attacks of soldiers and Interahamwe militia against Tutsi refugees in the Prefecture.

Kamuhanda was born on 3 March 1953 in Gikomero Commune. He was arrested in Bourges, France on 26 November 1999 and was transferred to the Tribunal’s Detention Facility in Arusha on 3 March 2000.