Mbarushimana trial postponed

HAGUE - The International Criminal Court (ICC), in The Hague, has postponed the opening of hearings to confirm charges against war crimes suspect, Callixte Mbarushimana, which were scheduled to commence yesterday. Mbarushimana is the Executive Secretary of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an outfit that is largely composed of elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. His trial is in connection with atrocities committed by the militia group in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it is based. “The Chamber changed the opening date of the hearing, initially scheduled for 17 August 2011, stating that issues related to the disclosure of evidence were raised just prior to the confirmation hearing and that these issues have rendered it impossible to fairly conduct the confirmation hearing on the originally scheduled date,” reads a brief statement from ICC. According to the ICC, Mbarushimana is allegedly responsible for five counts of crimes against humanity including murder, torture, rape, inhumane acts and persecution. He is also accused of six counts of war crimes which include attacks against a civilian population, destruction of property, murder, torture, rape and inhumane treatment, allegedly committed in the Kivu Provinces of the DRC in 2009. In addition to the crimes committed in the DRC, Mbarushimana is also accused by the Rwandan judiciary and rights groups of participating in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. During the Genocide, he worked with the UNDP and allegedly used the institution’s equipment to facilitate the killing of hundreds of people in Kigali City. Mbarushimana was arrested last October on an ICC warrant. Ends

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Mbarushimana trial postponed