ICTR to deliver ruling against military officers in May

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) will render judgment in the cases of former military officers Aloys Ntabakuze and Lt Ildephonse Hategekimana in May 8.In 2010, ICTR’s Trial Chamber 1 sentenced the two former officers to life imprisonment after they were found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity.Ntabakuze was convicted of conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide, and crimes against humanity.Hategekimana was found guilty of genocide specifically in the massacre of civilian Tutsis in Ngoma, former Butare prefecture, Southern Province and raping Tutsi women.In 2011, Ntabakuze’s defence asked the Appeals Chamber to enter a judgment of acquittal and order the immediate release of its client for lack of “strong evidence”, but this was contested by the Prosecution.“The indictment as reinforced by further communications provided by the appellant with adequate notice and material facts that enabled him to prepare his defence,” said Prosecuting attorney George Mugwanya.“There was information clearly and timely provided on involvement of Para-Commando soldiers in crimes throughout Kigali,” he said, adding,” Ntabakuze suffered no prejudice because throughout the trial, he prepared and mounted his defence.”Ntabakuze was charged in a joint trial known as Military I alongside two other officers, Colonel Theoneste Bagosora and Lieutenant Colonel Aloys Nsengiyumva. During the appeal process, his case was separated from that of his co-accused, after the resignation of his defence attorney. Just like Ntabakuze, the two former officers were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment on first instance, but their sentences were subsequently reduced on appeal.Ntabakuze was arrested in Kenya on July 18, 1997 and transferred to Arusha on the same day. His trial opened on April 2, 2002.Hategekimana was apprehended in Congo Brazzaville in 2003 and transferred to ICTR custody three days later. His trial started on March 16, 2009.

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ICTR to deliver ruling against military officers in May