The Defence rested its case on 29 March 2005 in the trial of Aloys Simba, a retired Rwandan Army Lt. Colonel and former Member of Parliament. The Accused is charged with four counts of genocide and crimes against humanity based on his alleged role in organizing and executing massacres in Gikongoro and Butare Prefectures. Simba pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him.

The trial opened on 30 August 2004 before Trial Chamber I, composed of Judges Erik Møse of Norway (presiding), Sergei Alekseevich Egorov of Russia, and Dennis Charles Michael Byron of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Chamber heard 16 Prosecution witnesses over 29 trial days. The Prosecution closed its case on 10 November 2004.

The Defence case commenced on 13 December 2004. The Chamber heard 20 Defence witnesses, including the Accused, over 22 trial days. Final written submissions will be filed on 22 June 2005. Closing arguments are scheduled for 7-8 July 2005.

Aloys Simba was arrested in Senegal on 27 November 2001 and transferred to the United Nations Detention Facilities in Arusha on 11 March 2002. He is represented by Mr. Sadikou Alao of Benin and Ms. Beth Lyons of the United States. The Prosecution is headed by Mr. Richard Karegyesa of Uganda.

The Tribunal has handed down judgements involving 24 persons. The trials of 25 more are on-going.