ICTR prosecutor files appeal

The ICTR chief prosecutor, Carla del Ponte, has filed a notice of appeal against the acquittal of Ignace Bagilishema, a former mayor of Mabanza in Kibuye, western Rwanda, the Internews press service reported. The notice was filed on 9 July, and Internews said it could not establish whether this was a late appeal. According to ICTR rules, an appeal must be filed with the registrar not more than 30 days after the judgement. Bagilishema was acquitted on 7 June 2001. He had been accused of planning and orchestrating massacres of ethnic Tutsi in Mabanza commune and at a stadium in Kibuye Prefecture. In the appeal notice, the prosecutor alleges that the trial chamber “erred in law and in fact” in concluding that Bagilishema was not responsible for crimes committed at a roadblock near the Mabanza communal office, Internews said.