On July 2, 2012, there will be official opening of the International Residual Mechanism of Criminal Tribunals, Arusha Branch in Tanzania.
This is a judicial body that is due to take over essential functions of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and that of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) after their closures.
On the same day, the trial of ex-Rwandan Planning Minister Augustin Ngirabatware resumes with further cross-examination by the defence of the last prosecution’s additional witness.
Additional witnesses had been brought to counter the alibi evidence of the accused over his absence in Rwanda during genocide.
Meanwhile, cases involving ex-army officer, Lt. Col. Pheneas Munyarugarama and another ex-mayor Aloys Ndimbati were Thursday transferred to Rwanda for trial.
The duo are charged with genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide and crimes against humanity.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) Presiden, judge Vagn Joensen said the tribunal was stepping up efforts to find host countries for acquitted persons.
In both decisions, ICTR judges expressed hope that Rwanda, in accepting referrals from this Tribunal, would actualize in practice the commitments it has made about its good faith, capacity, and willingness to enforce the highest standards of international justice.
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