Last Updated 4 November 2009
Selected Events from: 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006
1 November 2009: ICTR comes under criticism after eight convicts from the Special Court for Sierra Leone are transferred to prison in Rwanda. The ICTR has refused to transfer those convicted at the tribunal to Rwandan prisons, saying the prisons do not meet international standards.
27 October 2009: ICTR holds three-day workshop for secondary school students and teachers from northern Rwanda to inform them about the role of tribunal in contributing to the reconciliation process in Rwanda. This is part of an ongoing outreach project to create a genocide awareness network through the secondary schools that will educate youth about the ICTR and promote human rights values.
20 October 2009: Trial of Jean-Baptiste Gatete, former Mayor of Murambi Commune in Byumba prefecture, begins with opening statements. Gatete pleaded not guilty to 10 counts in the first indictment on 20 September 2002 during an initial appearance. Current charges include: 6 counts of genocide (or complicity in genocide); conspiracy to commit genocide; and crimes against humanity for extermination, murder, and rape. Gatete is alleged to have led a campaign of terror against Tutsi civilians resulting in thousands of deaths in Byumba and Kibungo prefectures. “The accused killed persons by his own hand, specifically ordered killings by subordinates, and led attacks.” Gatete is also accused of commanding the Interahamwe militias who are alleged to have massacred several thousand Tutsi civilians in Kiziguro and Mukarange Churches, at Kayonza Commune, and at the CERAI School in Rukira.
7-20 October 2009: Trial of Augustin Ngirabatware (Case No: ICTR-99-54-T), continues with examination of witnesses. Lawyers spar over the discussion, credibility, and admissibility of records from gacaca proceedings.
16 October 2009: In Karemera et al. (Case No. ICTR-98-44-AR91.2), co-accused Joseph Nzirorera’s motion for extension of time to file response brief (requested because accused has not yet obtained access to the confidential Bizimungu et al. decision) is granted. Nzirorera must file his response within 3 days of being granted access to the Bizimungu decision (not 7 days as requested).
14-15 October 2009: Trial of Yussuf Munyakazi continues with examination of accused, called to testify by the defense.
14 October 2009: Idelphonse Nizeyimana (second in command, in charge of intelligence and military operations at the Ecole des Sous Officiers) makes an initial appearance and pleads not guilty to all charges. Accused was initially charged alongside Tharcisse Muvunyi (case on re-trial) and Idelphonse Hategekimana (trial in progress). Nizeyimana’s trial date to be set later. Charges include: 4 counts of genocide (or complicity in genocide), crimes against humanity (rape), and crimes against humanity (other inhumane acts). As a part of the chain of command, Nizeyimana is alleged to have had authority over soldiers and to have been a member of the elite inner circle (Akazu) of President Habyarimana.He is accused of sending a group of soldiers to execute the former Queen of Rwanda, Rosalie Gicanda, in her home. He is also accused of planning, inciting to commit, ordering, committing, or otherwise aiding and abetting the planning and preparation of these executions. He is also alleged to have known, or had reason to know, that his subordinates were preparing to commit or had committed one or more of these crimes, and to have failed to take “necessary and reasonable measurers to prevent the said acts from being committed or to punish those who were responsible.”
8 October 2009: Judge Dennis Byron, President, addresses the UN General Assembly to announce the release of the ICTR’s 14th Annual Report (July08-June09). In sum, 7 trials involving 10 accused are in evidence phase; 4 of these will be completed this year. 2 other trials will commence soon. In the last year, judgments have been rendered in 8 cases involving 11 accused. In 2010, the ICTR expects to render judgments in nearly all pending first instance trials (14, against 24 accused). Karemera et al. is one likely to spill over.
5 October 2009: Former intelligence chief Idelphonse Nizeyiman is arrested in Uganda for the organized killing of thousands of ethnic Tutsis and the former Queen Rosalie Gicanda during the 1994 genocide.
30 September 2009: Appeals Chamber hears oral arguments from Simon Bikindi. Bikindi is asking that his conviction be overturned or his sentence reduced. The Prosecution wants the appeal to be dismissed.
29 September 2009: Appeals Chamber hears oral arguments from Siméon Nchamihigo, former Deputy Prosecutor in Cyangugu. Nchamihigo wants his conviction to be overturned or a more lenient sentence handed down. The Prosecution wants the appeal to be dismissed.
28 September 2009: Appeals Chamber hears oral arguments from Protais Zigiranyirazo. Zigiranyirazo is alleges that the Trail court committed numerous errors in both law and fact. He is appealing to have his convictions overturned or his sentence reduced.
17 September 2009: Michael Bagaragaza pleads guilty to the count of complicity in genocide, contained in an amended indictment. Trial Chamber III has scheduled a hearing of character witness in preparation for sentencing for 2 November. Bagaragaza, former Director General of the office controlling the Rwandan tea industry, was initially charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide and violations of the Geneva Conventions of 1949 and of Additional Protocol II of 1977.
10 September 2009: Judge Bakhtiyar Tuzmukhamedov of the Russian Federation is sworn in as judge of the ICTR.
31 August 2009: The trial of Gaspard Kanyarukiga, a former businessman of Kivumu in Kibuye prefecture, begins in Trial Chamber II. Kanyarukiga is charged with genocide, complicity in genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity (extermination).
14 July 2009: Trial Chamber I sentences Tharcisse Renzaho to life imprisonment. Renzaho, former prefect of Kigali-Ville and Colonel in the Rwandan Armed Forces, had been found guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity and serious violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II. He was acquitted of complicity to commit genocide.
7 July 2009: The UN Security Council extends the term of office of six permanent ICTR judges until 31 December 2010 or until the completion of the cases to which they were or will be assigned if sooner. The Council also extended the terms of the eleven ad litem judges.
2 July 2009: Trial Chamber III sentences Léonidas Nshogoza, who served as Defense investigator during the trial of Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda, to ten months imprisonment for contempt of the Tribunal. Nshogoza was found guilty for repeatedly disclosing the protected information of two witnesses.
30 June 2009: Nine ICTR convicted prisoners are transferred to Benin for purposes of serving their sentences. The prisoners are George Rutaganda, Gerard Ntakirutimana, Juvenal Kajelijeli, Emmanuel Ndindabahizi, Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza, Aloys Simba, Juvenal Rugambaraara, Athanase Seromba and Francois Karera.
29 June 2009: The Prosecution and Defense present their closing arguments in the Ndindiliyimana et al. case. The case involves four former military officials: General Augustin Bizimungu, former Rwandan Army Chief of Staff; General Augustine Ndindiliyimana, former Chief of Staff of the Gendarmerie Nationale; Francois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye, former Commander of the Reconnaissance Battalion (REECE) of the Rwandan Army; and Innocent Sagahutu, former second in command of the Reconnaissance Battalion and Commander of the A company of the battalion. The accused are jointly charged with conspiracy to commit genocide or, in the alternative, complicity in genocide; crimes against humanity; and serious violations of the Geneva Conventions and the Second Additional Protocol (war crimes).
26 June 2009: The Defense for Ephrem Setako, the former Lieutenant-Colonel in the Rwandan Armed Forces and Director of the Judicial Affairs Division of the Rwandan Ministry of Defense, concludes its case. The Prosecution completed its case on 22 April 2009. Setako is charged with six counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity (murder and extermination) and violations of Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
22 June 2009: Trial Chamber III sentences Callixte Kalimanzira, ex-Deputy Interior Minister, to thirty years imprisonment based on his convictions for genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide. The Chamber noted Kalimanzira’s status within the Ministry of the Interior in determining his sentence, holding that his position made it likely that others would follow his example.
17 June 2009: The retrial of Tharcisse Muvunyi, the former commander of the Ecole des Sous Officers (ESO) in Butare Prefecture, begins with the Prosecution’s opening remarks. The new trial follows the Appeals Chamber’s 29 August 2008 judgment overturning Muvunyi’s convictions on counts of genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide and other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity.
8 May 2009: The Judges re-elect Charles Dennis Byron of Saint Kitts as President of the ICTR and Khalida Rachid Khan of Pakistan as Vice President. Judge Byron arrived at the Tribunal in June 2004 and has served as a member of Trial Chamber III. Judge Khan joined the Tribunal in August 2003 and is the presiding Judge of Trial Chamber III.
6 May 2009: The trial of Dominique Ntawukulilyayo, the former sous-prefet in Butare Prefecture, begins with the Prosecution’s opening remarks. Ntawukulilyayo is charged with three counts of genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide.
4 May 2009: The Prosecution and Defense present closing arguments in the “Butare Case,” which involves the joint trial of six persons charged with genocide, crimes against humanity and serious violations of the Geneva Conventions. The accused are Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, former Rwandan Minister for Family and Women Affairs (the first woman to be indicted by an international criminal tribunal and the only woman to be indicted by the ICTR thus far); Arsene Shalom Ntahobali, Nyiramasuhuko’s son and former leader of the Interahamwe militia; Sylvain Nsabimana, former Governor of Butare; Alphonse Nteziryayo, former Commanding Officer of the Military Police and former prefect of Butare; Joseph Kanyabashi, former Mayor of Ngoma; and Elie Ndayambaje, former Mayor of Muganza.
28 April 2009: The Prosecution and Defense present closing arguments in the case of Leonidas Nshogoza. Nshogoza is charged with contempt of the Tribunal and attempt to commit acts punishable as contempt of the Tribunal. The accused is alleged to have committed offenses with intent to fabricate additional evidence and procure false statements for use in support of the appeal against conviction and sentence of Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda.
22 April 2009: The trial of Yussuf Munyakazi, a former businessman in the Bugarama commune, begins with the Prosecution’s opening statement before Trial Chamber I. The trial is taking place at the ICTR following Trial Chamber III’s denial of an application by the Prosecutor for referral of the case to Rwanda on 28 May 2008. The Appeals Chamber upheld this decision on 9 October 2009. Both Chambers cited concerns about the rights of the accused and the ability to receive a fair trial in Rwanda as well as the independence of its judiciary.
21 April 2009: The Prosecution and Defense present closing arguments before Trial Chamber III in the case of Callixte Kalimanzira, former Chef de Cabinet of the Ministry of the Interior. Kalimanzira is charged with three counts of genocide, complicity in genocide and public incitement to commit genocide.
9 April 2009: Appeals Chamber reverses lower court's decision not to allow Mathieu Ngirumpatse, former President of the Mouvement Revolutionaire Natinale pour le Developpement (MRND), to be provisionally released to receive medical treatment in Europe. Ngirumpatse’s motion is remanded to the Trial Chamber for reconsideration in line with the Appeals Chamber’s decision.
27 March 2009: The Under-Secretary General for Legal Affairs of the United Nations, Hon.Ms. Patricia O’Brienvisits the ICTR, during which she held talks with ICTR senior officials over the execution of the Tribunal’s mandate and its completion strategy.During the visit Ms. O’Brien met with the President of the Tribunal Judge Dennis Byron, the Prosecutor Mr. Hassan Bubacar Jallow and the Registrar Mr. Adama Dieng.In her meeting with the the press Ms. O’Brien stated that the required cooperation of member states in witness relocation, enforcement of sentences and apprehension of fugitives, was of utmost importance to the success of the Tribunal. She added that the remaining thirteen fugitives of the Tribunal will not be let off the hook at the end of the Tribunal’s mandate.
16 March 2009: The trial of Ildephonse Hategekimana starts at the ICTR. Hategekimana, a former Commander of Ngoma Military Barracks, is charged with genocide and murder and rape as crimes against humanity. Hategekimana was supposed to be transferred to Rwanda for trial alongside four other accused, but the transfer was blocked by the Tribunal.
16 March 2009: After a week-long legal battle, at last the defense case of the Rwandan lawyer, Leonidas Nshogoza, charged with contempt of court at ICTR, commences. The case failed to begin as scheduled on 9 March due to a number of reasons, including failure of the accused's lead Defense Counsel, Canadian Allison Turner, to obey the court order to reduce the number of defense witnesses from 22 to 10 and for her misconduct during court proceedings.
12 March 2009: Trial Chamber III of the ICTR sanctions Canadian lawyer, Allison Turner, with a fine of $5,000 US dollars for failure to comply with the orders of the Chamber and for her misconduct during court proceedings. Turner is a lead Defence Counsel for Rwandan lawyer, Leonidas Nshogoza on trial for contempt of court. The Counsel failed to comply with Chamber's order to reduce the number of witnesses from 22 to 10, despite the earlier warnings that she could face possible sanctions if not implemented.
11 March 2009: Trial Chamber III adjourns trial of Rwandan lawyer, Leonidas Nshogoza accused of contempt of court sine die. Counsel Alison Turner insisted that she would not continue with the trial until the security issue for her defense witnesses was assured.
11 March 2009: Trial Chamber III denies request of the ailing former Rwandan President of the MRND ruling party in 1994, Mathieu Ngirumpatse, who wished to be treated in Europe. Prosecuted for genocide and crimes against humanity, Ngirumpatse, whose health conditions deteriorated since August last year, asked to be transferred from Nairobi where he has been receiving medical care to the detention center of ICTY for better treatment. Trial Chamber III admits that medical reasons can justify the transfer of an ICTR detainee but notes that the motion of the former president of the MRND does not specify if the ICTY or the Hague is ready to accommodate him.
5 March 2009: ICTR grants prosecution's motion to separate the ailing genocide accused, former President of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND), Mathieu Ngirumpatse, from the joint trial of Edouard Karemera, ex-MRND vice-president, and Joseph Nzirorera, Ex-Secretary General of the party. Ngirumpatse has been confined to bed for months now in a Nairobi hospital. The Chamber has also directed that Karemera and Nzirorera's joint trial resume on March 23.
15 February 2009: The trial of three former leaders the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND) is still at a standstill because of the ill health of Mathieu Ngirumpatse, who has been confined to bed for several months. Ngirumpatse was president of the MRND. Also on trial is Edouard Karemera, who was the vice-president, and Joseph Nzirorera, who was the secretary-general of the MRND.
14 February 2009: Prosecutor requests a life sentence for Hormisdas Nsengimana, a Catholic Priest accused of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and the crimes against humanity of murder and extermination. At the time of his alleged crimes, Nsengimana was the head of the Christ the King College of Nyanza, Southern Province, where he was a leader of a death squad that included members of his staff.
9 February 2009: The trial of Léonidas Nshogoza for contempt of court begins today. Nshogoza was the defense attorney for Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda, the former Rwandan Minister for Culture and Education. A witness testified that Nshogoza offered to give him "something" in exchange for making a false testimony to help Kamuhanda's case. Kamuhanda was eventually sentenced to life imprisonment on charges of conspiracy to commit genocide, and complicity to commit genocide.
2 February 2009: The Appeals Chamber confirms François Karera's sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of his life. On 7 December 2007, Trial Chamber I found Karera guilty of genocide and extermination and murder as crimes against humanity, for his participation in the killing of Tutsis in Nyamirambo sector, at Ntarama Church, and in Rushashi commune.
14 January 2009: TharcisseMuvunyi's retrial is postponed indefinitely because of the absence of the defense counsel. The Appeals Chamber orders for Muvunyi to remain in custody while awaiting his retrial.
18 December 2008: Trial Chamber III convicts Protais Zigiranyirazo of genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity and sentences him to 20 years imprisonment. The Trial Chamber however acquitted him of conspiracy to commit genocide, complicity in genocide and murder as a crime against humanity. Specifically, the Chamber found Zigiranyirazo guilty of having participated in a joint criminal enterprise with the common purpose of committing genocide and extermination of Tutsi at Kesho Hill, as well as aiding and abetting genocide at the Kiyovu roadblock.
18 December 2008: Trial Chamber I renders judgment in the "Military I" case involving four senior officers of the Rwandan army in 1994: Colonel Théoneste Bagosora, General Gratien Kabiligi, Major Aloys Ntabakuze, and Colonel Anatole Nsengiyumva. The Chamber sentenced Bagosora, Ntabakuze and Nsengiyumva to life imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes based on their role in crimes committed in 1994. The Chamber acquitted Kabiligi of all charges against him and ordered his release. The Chamber also acquitted each of the Accused of conspiring to commit genocide before 7 April 1994.
7 December 2008: ICTR transfers Jean de DieuKamuhanda and EliezerNiyitegeka to Mali where they will spend the remainder of their sentences. Trial Chamber II, on 22 January 2004 found Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda guilty of genocide and extermination, as a crime against humanity. Kamuhanda was found not guilty of war crimes, other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity, and rape as a crime against humanity. He was sentenced to life imprisonment. The Appeals Chamber, on September 19, 2005, confirmed his sentence. The Trial Chamber I, on 16 May 2003, found Eliezer Niyitegeka guilty of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, of "direct and public incitation to commit genocide," murder as a crime against humanity, extermination as a crime against humanity, and other inhumane acts as a crime against humanity. Niyitegeka was found not guilty of complicity in genocide and rape as a crime against humanity. Niyitegeka was sentenced to life imprisonment. The Appeals Chamber, on July 2004, confirmed his verdict.
3 December 2008: ICTR transfers Ferdinand Nahimana and Hassan Ngeze to Mali where they will spend the remainder of their sentences. Ferdinand Nahimana, on 8 December 2003 was convicted of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide,direct and public incitementto commit genocide, complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity. He was condemned to life imprisonment. On 28 November 2007, the Appeals Chamber reduced his prison term to 30 years. It confirmed the charges for directly and publiclyinciting the commission of genocide and for persecution as a crime against humanity. Hassan Ngeze was found guilty of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, incitement to commit genocide by direct and published channels, and crimes against humanity. He was acquitted on the charges of complicity to commit genocide and of crimes against humanity. Ngeze was sentenced to life imprisonment. On 28 November 2007, the Appeals Chamber reduced his prison term to 35 years. It confirmed the charges for aiding and abetting the commission of genocide; direct and public incitement to commit genocide; and aiding and abetting extermination as a crime against humanity.
2 December 2008: Trial Chamber III convicts Simon Bikindi, a popular Rwandan musician prior to the 1994 genocide, of direct and public incitement to commit genocide and sentences him to fifteen years imprisonment. This count was the only one out of six charges on which Bikindi was found guilty. While the Chamber recognized that some of Bikindi`s songs had an inciting character, the judges held that all songs had been written before 1994, and thus fell outside of the Tribunal's jurisdiction. The judges also found that there was not enough evidence to prove that Bikindi had played a role in the dissemination of the songs via Radio Mille Collines which had been played throughout the genocide. However, the Chamber found that Bikindi directly and publicly incited genocide through certain speeches delivered to large crowds through a loudspeaker.
24 September 2008: Simon Nchamihigo was sentenced to life in prison for genocide, murder and crimes against humanity. The ICTR said that in April 1994, Nchamihigo told the Interhamwe to kill Tutsis. They further accused him of using his position to incite genocide. Nchamihigo was arrested in 2001 and pled not guilty to all charges. He is the latest of 33 sentences the ICTR has passed since its inception in 1997.
24 September 2008: ICTR sentenced Siméon Nchamihigo, former Deputy Prosecutor in Cyangugu Prefecture to life imprisonment after finding him guilty of genocide, extermination, murder and other inhumane act as crimes against humanity. The Chamber finds that on 7 April 1994, Siméon Nchamihigo told Interahamwe to seek out and kill Tutsi with the intention to destroy the Tutsi ethnic group and other civilians who were RPF accomplices, as part of a widespread attack against civilians in Cyangugu. The Chamber also finds that Siméon Nchamihigo participated in various attacks on refugee places. The Chamber further finds that he attended the prefecture Security Council meetings on 11 and 14 April 1994, and that some of the massacres were planned during those meetings, especially the transfer of Tutsi refugees to the Kamarampaka stadium and the subsequent removal of some of them who were killed.
24 September 2008:The Nchamihigo case, former Deputy Prosecutor in Cyangugu Prefecture, Siméon Nchamihigo is found guilty of genocide, extermination, murder and other inhumane act as crimes against humanity. He is sentenced to life imprisonment.
22 September 2008: Andre Ntagerura, a former Rwandan Minister acquitted of charges of crimes against humanity and genocide in 2004 by ICTR. He has filed a motion before the Appeals Chamber asking the court to order Canada to grant him asylum. Ntagerura aquittal charges are not completed until he finds a host country and has been since living in a safe house in Arusha.
22 September 2008: A Belgium missionary, Constant Julius Goetschalckx, testified before the ICTR that the then rebels of the Rwanda Patriotic Front attacked and killed Hutus who had sought refuge in the vicinity of Kigali during the genocide. It is estimated that there were 300,000 refugees attacked at the time. He is the 24th witness in the Butare Trial.
15 September 2008: ICTR compelled to adjourn the hearing of the defense for the Nzuwonemeye trial. This is the second time in less than a week that trial has been adjourned because of late arrivals of the defense's witnesses. Major Nzuwonemeye is jointly charged alongside three other former senior members of the Rwandan army for their role in the genocide.
30 August 2008:The Appeals Chamber overturned the sentence of Tharcisse Muvunyi and ordered a retrial on one count. In 2006, Muvunyi had been sentenced to 25 years imprisonment after being convicted of genocide and incitement to commit genocide in Butare. He will be retried for incitement to commit genocide. Muvunyi had been held in custody for eight years for the killing of 20 to 20 Tutsi refugees in the Butare Hospital and for inciting Ecole Sous-Officers to commit rape.
29 August 2008: Appeals Chamber issues Judgment in Muvunyi case, annulling the sentence issued by the Trial Chamber and ordering a retrial with regards to the count of “direct and public incitement to commit genocide.” Muvunyi is to remain in custody while awaiting his retrial.
25 August 2008: The trial commences in the Setako case.
21 August 2008: President of the Tribunal assigns Trial Chamber I to the trial of Ephrem Setako. Setako, who served as colonel of the Rwandan armed forces during the 1994 genocide, has been indicted on six counts of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
10 June 2008: Dominique Ntawukulilyayo makes his initial appearance before the Tribunal and pleads not guilty to three counts of genocide, complicity in genocide, and direct and public incitement to commit genocide.
6 June 2008: Trial Chamber denies the Prosecution’s request to transfer the Kanyarukiga case to Rwanda. While noting that Rwanda has made notable progress in improving its judicial system, the Chamber remains unsatisfied that the accused will receive a fair trial if transferred.
5 June 2008: Dominique Ntawukulilyayo, a former Sub-Prefect of Gisagara in Butare, is transferred from Paris, France to the ICTR. Ntawukulilyayo is charged with three counts of genocide, or in the alternative, complicity in genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide.
28 May 2008: The Appeals Chamber issues its judgment in the consolidated case against Moinina Fofana and Alliue Kondewa, increasing Fofana and Kondewa’s sentences of 6 and 8 years, to 15 and 20 years, respectively. Fofana and Kondewa were both leading members in the Civil Defense Forces (CDF). Among the Prosecution's successful grounds of appeal was that the Trial Chamber erred in sentencing the two accused because it considered, as a mitigating factor, that the CDF was fighting to support a “just cause.” The Appeals Chamber agreed, holding that while a convicted person’s motives may be considered for purposes of sentencing, the particular motive of “just cause” cannot be considered a mitigating factor because international humanitarian law specifically removes a party’s political motive and the “justness” of its cause from consideration. Justice George Gelaga King issued a dissenting opinion in which he explained that he would not have convicted Kondewa on any of the eight original counts charged by the Prosecution, and that he would have let the Trial Chamber’s judgment against Fofana stand, as the latter did not enter an appeal.
3 April 2008: The newly established African Court for Human Rights, established under the Organization of African Unity Protocol, is being urged to negotiated with the UN towards the adoption of ICTR archives as a part of the completion strategy. Proponents believe that adoption by the African Court, also sitting in Arusha, would inspire African unity and a commitment to human rights protection.
20 March 2008: Michel Bagaragaza, who has been charged with charged with four counts of conspiracy to commit genocide, genocide, complicity in genocide and war crimes, is transferred back to Arusha from The Hague, The Netherlands. This follows a revocation of an application by the Prosecutor for referral of the case to The Netherlands after it became clear that the Dutch courts did not have jurisdiction to try the case.
12 March 2008: In the Seromba case, the Appeals Chamber overturns the conviction of Athanase Seromba for aiding and abetting genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity and substituted convictions for committing genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity for his role in the destruction of the church in Nyange Parish causing the death of approximately 1500 Tutsi refugees sheltering inside. The Appeals Chamber also increases Seromba’s sentence from 15 years in prison to life imprisonment.
4 March 2008: The Government of Rwanda and the United Nations sign an agreement on the enforcement of sentences imposed by the ICTR. Rwanda is the seventh country designated to receive persons convicted by the ICTR for the purpose of serving their sentences.
3 March 2008: The Appeals Chamber affirms the Trial Chamber’s conviction of Alex Tamba Brima, Brima Bazzy Kamara and Santigie Borbor Kanu, senior members of the armed rebel group the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC). Each was convicted in June 2007 on six counts of war crimes (terrorism, collective punishments, outrages upon personal dignity, pillage, murder, and mutilation), four counts of crimes against humanity (rape, extermination, murder and enslavement) and one count of other serious violations of international humanitarian law (recruitment and use of child solders). Notably, the Appeals Chamber granted the Prosecution’s appeal against the Trial Chamber’s ruling that the Prosecutor had failed to properly plead participation in a joint criminal enterprise (“JCE”) because the purpose of the enterprise was not itself criminal in nature. However, the Appeals Chamber, in the interests of justice, saw no need to make further factual findings or to remand the case to the Trial Chamber.
2 March 2008: Vincent Rutaganira, who was sentenced on 14 March 2005 to 6 years in prison after being convicted of the crime against humanity of extermination, was released from the United Nations Detention Facility.
27 February 2008: In regards to the Rwamakuba decision, the acquitted is compensated the $2,000 awarded to him by the Appeals Chamber in September 2007 for reparations after having been arrested and detained for 8 years, “in violation of his rights.” Rwamakuba remains in Arusha until he can find a host country.
20 February 2008: Callixte Nzabonimana appears before the Tribunal and pleads not guilty.
18 February 2008: Callixte Nzabonimana, former minister of youth and sports in the interim Government of 1994 in Rwanda and also member of the Mouvement Républicain National pour le Dévelopement et la Démocratie (MRND), is arrested in Kigoma town, Tanzania. Nzabonimana is charged with six counts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
12 February 2008: Leonidas Nshogoza appears before the Tribunal and pleads not guilty.
8 February 2008: Leonidas Nshogoza, the defense investigator indicted on contempt charges based on his alleged role in the Kamuhanda case, voluntarily surrenders to the Tribunal.
28 January 2008: Tribunal issues international arrest warrant for Leonidas Nshogoza, who served as an investigator for the defense team during the trial of the Prosecutor v. Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda case. Nshogoza is charged with contempt of the Tribunal based on allegations that he fabricated additional evidence and procured false statements for use in support of the appeal against conviction and sentence of Kamuhanda.
18 January 2008: Tanzania will form a joint task force with the ICTR to help complete the tribunal’s exit strategy. The ICTR has a deadline of December 2008 to complete all pending cases and 2010 for appeals. The relevant Tanzanian ministries will compose the task force, and will include members of the UN Court.
17 January 2008: The UN General Assembly budgets approximately $267 million (US) to the ICTR for the 2008-09 period. The tribunal is under a deadline to complete all pending cases by December 2008 and appeals by 2010.
16 January 2008: In the Ntwaukuriryayo case, the former sub-prefect of Gisagara, accused of having taken part in the 1994 Genocide, wins on appeal to keep from being transferred from the French system to be tried by the ICTR.
8 January 2008: ICTR Prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow issues an indictment against Leonidas Nshogoza, a Rwandan lawyer working as a defense lawyers before the tribunal. The indictment does not reveal the charges against Nshogoza, although has he been accused of trying to influence a witness. He was arrested in 16 June and spent six months in jail before being released on bail.
7 December 2007: In the Karera case, the former Prefect of Kigali-Rural, François Karera is found guilty of genocide, extermination as a crime against humanity, and murder as a crime against humanity. He is sentenced to life imprisonment, with the detention center to be determined by the President of the Tribunal and the Government of Rwanda.
4 December 2007: In the GAA case, the accused known by the pseudonym of GAA, was judged and sentenced by Trial Chamber III. A plea agreement was reached wherein the accused plead guilty to: 1) knowingly and willfully giving false testimony under oath in the appeal of Jean de Dieu Kamuhanda, and 2) contempt of the tribunal. The convicted was sentenced to 9 months imprisonment, with credit for time served. Significantly, this was the first sentencing by the ICTR or ICTY for a conviction of giving false testimony.
13 September 2007: In the Rwamakuba case, the appellate court holds that the $2,000 USD awarded to the Mr. Rwamakuba (acquitted) for compensation due to a violation of his right to legal assistance is appropriate while not explicitly allowed by the ICTR. However, Mr. Rwamakuba's appeal for monetary compensation on the grounds of "grave and manifest injustice" are denied because neither the Statutes or Rules of the Tribunal provide for compensation to an acquitted person.
22 June 2007: In the Nsengimana case, the trial begins for Rwandan Catholic priest Hormisdas Nsengimana, who faces charges of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and crimes against humanity for murder and extermination during the 1994 genocide.
21 June 2007: The ICTR issues an arrest warrant for Wenceslas Munyeshyaka, a Catholic priest believed to be residing in France, who is wanted on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity for rape, extermination, and murder.
11 June 2007: In the Kayishema case, ICTR prosecutors request the transfer of Fulgence Kayishema to Rwanda to stand trial. This transfer would mark the first transfer of an ICTR case from the UN tribunal to a Rwandan jurisdiction, and is made possible in part by Rwanda’s parliamentary vote last week to abolish of the death penalty.
8 June 2007: Rwanda’s parliament votes to abolish the death penalty effective July 1, 2007. The decision may prompt the UN Tribunal in Arusha to transfer cases to Rwandan national jurisdiction.
1 June 2007: In the Bagosora et al. (Military I) case, closing arguments end.
28 May 2007: Closing arguments begin in the Bagosora et al. (Military I) case.
21 May 2007: In the Muhimana case, the Appeals Chamber confirms convictions of Mikaeli Muhimana for genocide, rape and murder as crimes against humanity and upholds his sentence of life in prison.
2 May 2007: Judge Vagn Joensen (Denmark) is sworn in as ad litem judge. Judge Fremr (Czech Republic) replaces Judge Flavia Lattanzi (Italy).
1 May 2007: The ICTR announces that Dominique Ntawukuriryayo, a former sub-prefect of Gisagara, in the southern Butare province, is wanted on charges of genocide, complicity in genocide and inciting the public to commit genocide. Ntawukuriryayo is one of 18 people still wanted by the ICTR; his name was not previously made public.
23 February 2007: In the Nzabirinda case, Joseph Nzabirinda, a former businessman and youth organizer in Ngoma commune, is sentenced to seven years imprisonment. Nzabirinda was accused of genocide or complicity in genocide, and the crimes against humanity of extermination and rape; however, he reached an agreement with the Prosecutor to plead guilty only to one count of the crime against humanity of murder as an accomplice by omission. Nzabirinda worked as an investigator with the Tribunal for the defence of the former prefect of Butare, Sylvain Nsabimana, until November 2001, when the Registrar cancelled his employment contract on the grounds that he had provided forged documents.
7 February 2007: In the Renzaho case, the Prosecution closes its case against Colonel Tharcisse Renzaho, former prefect of Kigali-ville, who is charged with six counts charging him with genocide, complicity in genocide, the crimes against humanity of murder and rape, and serious violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II.
31 January 2007: In the Rwamakuba case, the Trial Chamber finds that André Rwamakuba — acquitted on all charges in September 2006 — had his right to legal assistance violated during the initial months of his detention due to the Registrar's failure to appoint him Duty Counsel, and orders that the Registrar provide him an apology and financial compensation of $2000, and "use all available means" to facilitate his temporary status in the State where is family is living.
22 January 2007: Elizaphan Ntakirutimana, a former Seventh Day Adventist pastor in Kibuye, dies at 83. Ntakirutimana served ten years imprisonment for aiding and abetting genocide and the crime against humanity of extermination before being released from custody in December 2006.
18 January 2007: In the Bagosora et al. case, the defense rests its case.
18 January 2007: In the Media case, the Appeal Chamber concludes its hearings.
18 January 2007: In the Military I case, the Defense concludes its case.
16 January 2007: In the Ndindabahizi case, the Appeals Chamber upholds Emmanuel Ndindabahizi’s convictions for genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity for his participation in a massacre at Gitwa Hill in April 1994, vacates his convictions for genocide and murder in so far as they were based on the killing of one victim at Gaseke roadblock, and upholds his life sentence.
8 January 2007: In the Renzaho case, the trial of Colonel Tharcisse Renzaho, former prefect of and Chairman of the Civil Defence Committee for Kigali-ville, begins. Renzaho has pled not guilty to charges of genocide, complicity in genocide, the crimes against humanity of murder and rape, and serious violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocol II.