Before Trial Chamber 1:- Preliminary motions filed by the Defence contesting the form of the indictment against Mr. Ferdinand Nahimana, a former senior officer of the Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, SA (RTLM.SA), were heard. The Defence Counsel Jean-Marie Biju Duval asked the court to suspend proceedings against the accused and order his release, due to defects in the indictment. A ruling on the motions will be delivered later.
Mr. Nahimana has pleaded "not guilty" to five counts charging him with Genocide, Direct and Public Incitement to Commit Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity.
Before Trial Chamber 2: A motion by the Prosecutor asking the court not to admit evidence of a Defence expert witness, Dr. Regis Pouget , psychiatrist, in the case of The Prosecutor vs. Clement Kayishema and Obed Ruzindana, was heard. A ruling on the motion will be delivered later.
Earlier in the week, Defence witnesses continued to testify in the case. Sixteen witnesses have already testified on behalf of Mr. Kayishema, a former Prefect of Kibuye and Mr. Ruzindana, former businessman.
On Thursday, 25 June 1998: Two Prosecution motions were heard before Trial Chamber 1, in the cases of The Prosecutor vs. Georges Ruggiu and The Prosecutor vs. George Rutaganda.
The Counsel for Mr. Ruggiu, Mr. Mohamed Aouini (Tunisia) and Jean Louis Gilisen (Belgium) prayed to the court to grant a motion for the restitution of the personal effects of the accused seized during his arrest in Nairobi on 23 July 1997. Ruling on the motion will be made later.
Mr. Ruggiu, a former journalist with Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, SA (RTLM,SA) has pleaded "not guilty" to two counts charging with Direct and Public Incitement to Commit Genocide, and Crimes Against Humanity.
The other motion heard before the Chamber sought orders for protective measures for Prosecution witnesses in the trial of Mr. Rutaganda, a former businessman and Vice-President of lnterahamwe who has pleaded "not guilty" to eight counts charging him with Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity and Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions. A ruling on the motion wiII be delivered later .
Next week, Trial Chamber 2 will continue hearing testimony of Defence witnesses in the joint trial of Clement Kayishema and Obed Ruzindana. Several other motions will be heard before Trial Chamber 1.