Proceedings in eight trials against 21 accused will continue before the Trial Chambers of the ICTR during the second part of this year while another accused awaits judgement in his recently completed trial. Judgement in one case before the Appeals Chamber is expected later this year.

Before the judicial recess, Trial Chamber III heard closing arguments in the case of Laurent Semanza, on 18 and 19 June. It is now deliberating on the case. In the Cyangugu case Trial Chamber III heard 33 Defence witnesses including André Ntagerura, the first of the three accused to present his case. A new trial, that of Eliezer Nyitegeka opened on 17 June but was adjourned on 26 June after only six days of hearings because of problems in bringing Prosecution witnesses from Rwanda. For similar reasons the Butare case was repeatedly adjourned during the month of June.

The current status of the trials in progress is as follows:

“Niyitegeka Case” (Eliezer Niyitegeka)

Trial Chamber I, Judges Pillay (presiding), Møse and Vaz.

The trial of Eliezer Nyitigeka, former Minister of Information in the interim Government of Rwanda in 1994, opened on 17 June 2002. On 26 June, after six days of hearings, it was adjourned due to difficulties encountered in bringing witnesses from Rwanda. Hearings will resume on Tuesday 13 August.

“Kamuhanda Case” (Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda)

Trial Chamber II, Judges Sekule (presiding), Maqutu and Ramaroson.

Trial opened 17 April 2001. On 14 May 2002 the Prosecution closed its case subject to calling one additional witness before the opening of the Defence case. There had been 35 days of hearings during which 28 prosecution witnesses were heard. The Defence will open its case on Monday 19 August.

“Ntakirutimana Case”, (Elizaphan Ntakirutimana and Gérard Ntakirutimana)

Trial Chamber I, Judges Møse (presiding), Pillay, and Vaz.

Trial opened 18 September 2001. Prosecution case closed on 2 November 2001 after 27 days of hearings during which 19 Prosecution witnesses were heard. Trial resumed with Defence case from 4 to 15 February 2002 and then from 10 April to 10 May 2002, a total of 30 hearing days during which 24 Defence witnesses were heard, including the two accused. In summary, the hearing of all evidence from 43 witnesses was completed in 14 trial weeks. Closing arguments will be heard by the Chamber on 21 and 22 August 2002.

“The Military Case”, (Théoneste Bagosora, Gratien Kabiligi, Aloys Ntabakuze, Nsengiyumva)

Trial Chamber III, Judges Williams (presiding), Dolenc and Vaz.

This case against Colonel Théoneste Bagosora, formerly Director of the Ministry of Defence and three other senior military figures opened on 2 April. The three other accused are Gratien Kabiligi, a former brigadier in the Rwandan army, Aloys Ntabakuze, commander of a Para-commando battalion and Lieutenant-Colonel Anatole Nsengiyumva. All are charged with genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and violations of the Geneva Conventions. A status conference was held on Friday 28 June and hearings will resume on Monday 2 September 2002.

“The Media Case”, (Barayagwiza, Nahimana and Ngeze)

Trial Chamber I, Judges Pillay (presiding), Møse and Gunawardana.

Trial opened 23 October 2000. On Friday 12 July 2002 the Prosecution closed its case after 163 days of hearings during which 47 prosecution witnesses were heard. The case was adjourned until Monday 16 September 2002 for the opening of the defence case.

“Kajelijeli Case” (Juvénal Kajelijeli)

Trial Chamber II, Judges Sekule (presiding), Maqutu and Ramaroson.

Trial opened 13 March 2001, restarted 2 July 2001. The case was adjourned on 13 December after 29 days of hearings during which 14 prosecution witnesses were heard. On 10 April 2002, (Trial Day 31) the Prosecution closed its case. A Pre-Defence conference and status conference was held on 15 April. The Defence case will open on Monday 16 September.

“Cyangugu Case” (Bagambiki, Imanishimwe, Ntagerura)

Trial Chamber III, Judges Williams (presiding), Ostrovsky and Dolenc,

Trial opened 18 September 2000; Prosecution case closed on 21 November 2001 after 73 days of hearings during which 40 witnesses were heard. By Thursday 25 July 2002 there had been a total of 107 days of hearings and 33 defence witnesses had been heard. Hearings will resume on Monday 30 September.

“Butare Case”, (Nyiramasuhuko, Ntahobali, Nteziryayo, Nsabimana, Ndayambaje and Kanyabashi)

Trial Chamber II, Judges Sekule (presiding), Maqutu and Ramaroson.

Trial opened 12 June 2001. By 6 June 2002 there had been 63 days of hearings involving 14 Prosecution witnesses. Between 11 June and 27 June 2002 the case was adjourned five times as a result of difficulties encountered in bringing witnesses from Rwanda. On 19 June the Chamber gave an oral decision referring to the obligation of cooperation incumbent upon UN Member States and asking the Rwandan authorities to meet their legal obligation to facilitate the work of the Tribunal. No further witnesses being available the trial was adjourned on 27 June until Monday 14 October.

“Semanza Case” (Laurent Semanza)

Trial Chamber III, Judges Ostrovsky (presiding), Williams and Dolenc.

Trial opened 16 October 2000. The trial was completed on 25 April 2002 after 80 days of hearings during which 54 witnesses testified. Closing argument was heard from 17 to 19 June 2002 since when the case has been under deliberation. No date has yet been set for delivery of the judgment.

Appeals Chamber

“Rutaganda Case” (Georges Rutaganda)

Appeals Chamber: Judge Jorda, presiding and Judges Shahabuddeen, Pocar, Güney and Meron.

Georges Rutaganda’s appeal against his conviction and sentence by Trial Chamber I on 6 December 1999 was heard on 4 and 5 July 2002. No date has yet been set for delivery of the final judgement in this case.

For further information about the progress of trials please consult the Judicial Calendar, the Daily Case Minutes and the Status of detainees list on the Tribunal’s Website www.ictr.org