ICTR calls for tough measures against former investigator

ARUSHA - International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Prosecutors have argued for an appropriate sentence for former investigator Léonidas Nshogoza. The prosecution made the arguments on Tuesday in the final session to close arguments presided over by Judges hearing the case; Khalida R. Khan, Lee G. Muthoga and Aydin Akay. Nshogoza is charged with four counts to do with contempt of the tribunal. The accused is alleged to have committed the offences with intent to fabricate additional evidence and procure false statements for use in support of the appeal against conviction and the sentence of Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda. Prosecution led by Richard Karegyesa, asked for Nshogoza to be convicted and requested for an effective sentence which can deter similar crimes from happening in future. They stated that, it had been proved that the accused knowingly and wilfully perverted the course of justice by corruptly soliciting and procuring a false testimony. It added that much as the case was simple the charges were very serious because they involve an attempt to pervert justice in a Genocide case and also interfering in the administration of justice. Nshogoza’s case last March also saw the his top defence counsel Allison Turner fined $5,000 after she failed to comply with the orders of the chamber and for her misconduct during court proceedings. Prosecution presented ten witnesses in the case, while defence had earlier presented 22 witnesses only for the chamber to order that it reduces them to 10. Nshogoza was born in 1961 in Rukeri, Kiyumba in Southern Province. He voluntarily surrendered to (ICTR) at its seat in Arusha, Tanzania on February 2008. His trial began on 9 February 2009. Ends

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ICTR calls for tough measures against former investigator