Genocide trial of former minister begins

Former Information Minister Eliezer Niyitegeka went on trial on Monday before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania, accused of crimes against humanity and other offences committed during the genocide of 1994, the tribunal's Public Affairs Unit reported. It said that in his opening statement, trial attorney Ken Fleming told the court he would prove that the accused was guilty of ten counts with which he is charged. In an earlier indictment, Niyitegeka, who served in the interim government in 1994, was charged with six counts of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide and crimes against humanity: murder and extermination. In a later amendment to the indictment the prosecutor added the counts of rape; direct and public incitement to genocide; complicity to genocide as an alternative count to genocide; and violations of the Geneva Conventions. The accused pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution alleges Niyitegeka committed the crimes in Bisesero, an area where "thousands of men, women and children" who were predominantly Tutsis sought refuge from attacks, which took place throughout Kibuye Prefecture from 9 April to 30 June 1994. The prosecution told the court that "often in concert with others"; Niyitegeka personally attacked and killed persons seeking refuge in Bisesero. The prosecution added that between 6 April and July 1994 Niyitegeka caused women to be raped in Kibuye and in other locales. He is also accused of ordering, commanding or participating in attacks of Tutsi civilians in Kibuye knowing that rape and sexual violence against Tutsi women were systematically incorporated in such attacks. The prosecution said he failed to stop or discipline or punish the perpetrators, including soldiers, communal police, civilians and militias subject to his authority as a minister. Niyitegeka, 50, was born in Gisovu commune. He was arrested on 9 February 1999 in Nairobi, Kenya, and transferred to the tribunal's detention centre in Aruasha on 11 February 1999.