Ntakirutimana Gérard

Gérard Ntakirutimana is accused of genocide, complicity in genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, crimes against humanity and serious violations of the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II.
© Réseau Intermedia.

Chamber

• Erik Mose, Navanethem Pillay, Andresia Vaz

Prosecutor

• Charles Phillips

Proceedings

• Since his transfer to Arusha in November 1996, the case of Gérard Ntakirutimana has relentlessly come up against the same problem : that of his choice of lawyer. On 22nd May, yet another new hearing dealt with the same issue. The former doctor from Mugonero wishes to be defended by the American ex-Attorney General, Ramsey Clark,with his current Tanzanian lawyer becoming his co-council. Once again, the First Trial Chamber rejected the accused's request.

Trial

• On September 18, 2001, Ramsey Clark delivered a surprisingly apolitical defense at the trial of Seventh Day Adventist Pastor Elizaphan Ntakirutimana and his son Dr. Gérard Ntakirutimana.
• Elizaphan Ntakirutimana has not been forgotten by his flock in Mugonero, in the Southwest of Rwanda. Members of his former congregation agree on his oratory talents, less so on his Christian values.
• On November 2, the prosecution rested its case against Pastor Elizaphan Ntakirutimana and his son, Dr.Gerard Ntakirutimana, after a month-and-a-half (27 days of actual trial) and 19 witnesses - the fastest prosecution case in the history of the ICTR.