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The trial of genocide suspect Ignace Bagilishema began at the ICTR on Wednesday, the Hirondelle news agency said. Bagilishema, former mayor of Mabanza in the western Kibuye prefecture, is accused of playing a leading role in the massacre of Tutsis who fled to the region during the genocide. The prosecutor said on Wednesday that the suspect had participated in the creation of the Interahamwe militia and had taken no steps to prevent the 1994 massacres in and around Mabanza. “Instead, he used his influence to orchestrate and lead them,” the prosecutor told the Court. The prosecution intended to bring about 29 witnesses to prove its case, while the defence has signalled its intention to plead an alibi, Hirondelle reported.
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