ARUSHA - The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, yesterday, began conducting special deposition proceedings in the case of Genocide fugitive Félicien Kabuga.

Kabuga, commonly referred to as the ‘financier’ of the 1994 against the Tutsi, is charged with eleven counts.

They include; conspiracy to commit Genocide, Genocide, Gomplicity in genocide, Direct and Public Incitement to Commit Genocide.

Others are; Crimes against Humanity (Murder, Extermination, Rape, Persecution, Inhumane acts) and Serious Violations of Article 3 Common to the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II.

The proceedings follow a successful application by the Prosecution earlier this  year for the taking of the disposition, seeking to safeguard evidence against  Kabuga  and  two  others still at large; former Minister of Defence  Augustin  Bizimana  and  Major Protais Mpiranya, former Commander of the Presidential Guard.

This is in pursuant to Rule 71 bis of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

"The process is designed to ensure that the evidence against the accused is preserved and that the continued evasion of justice by the fugitives does not, in the event of unavailability of the witnesses, erode the ability of the prosecution to establish the case against the accused when they are eventually arrested and brought to trial," ICTR Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow told reporters yesterday.

The accused is represented by Duty Counsel, Bahame Nyanduga, who was appointed by the ICTR Registrar.

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