This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/africa/5357062.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
'Genocide lawyer' quits tribunal | 'Genocide lawyer' quits tribunal |
(about 1 hour later) | |
A Rwandan lawyer wanted on genocide charges has resigned from the international tribunal set up to try those behind the 1994 killings. | A Rwandan lawyer wanted on genocide charges has resigned from the international tribunal set up to try those behind the 1994 killings. |
Rwanda had threatened to cut off relations with the Arusha tribunal unless Callixte Gakwaya was sacked. | Rwanda had threatened to cut off relations with the Arusha tribunal unless Callixte Gakwaya was sacked. |
Meanwhile, famous Rwandan singer Simon Bikindi has gone on trial at the tribunal, accused of using his songs to incite Hutus to kill Tutsis. | |
Some 800,000 people were slaughtered during the 100-day genocide in 1994. | Some 800,000 people were slaughtered during the 100-day genocide in 1994. |
Removed | Removed |
Mr Gakwaya is wanted by the Rwandan authorities but not by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, set up to try the masterminds of the genocide. | Mr Gakwaya is wanted by the Rwandan authorities but not by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, set up to try the masterminds of the genocide. |
Bikindi's music was used to mobilise the youth to join the Interahamwe militia, the killing machine of the [former ruling party] MRND Chief prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow He was arrested earlier this month in Tanzania but released after pressure from the ICTR. | |
"He has resigned," said court spokesman Everard O'Donnell. | "He has resigned," said court spokesman Everard O'Donnell. |
"His name has been removed from the list of eligible lawyers for the defence council of the ICTR." | "His name has been removed from the list of eligible lawyers for the defence council of the ICTR." |
Rwanda had threatened to cut links with the ICTR unless Mr Gakwaya was sacked within a week. | Rwanda had threatened to cut links with the ICTR unless Mr Gakwaya was sacked within a week. |
Ballet founder | |
Mr Bikindi, 52, has pleaded not guilty to six charges related to the genocide. | Mr Bikindi, 52, has pleaded not guilty to six charges related to the genocide. |
His lawyers argue that the charges contravene his right to freedom of speech and expression. | His lawyers argue that the charges contravene his right to freedom of speech and expression. |
But chief prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow said he had "used his renowned talent for use in a criminal enterprise". | But chief prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow said he had "used his renowned talent for use in a criminal enterprise". |
"Bikindi's music was used to mobilise the youth to join the Interahamwe militia, the killing machine of the [former ruling party] MRND," he said. | |
He also added that the prosecution would investigate links between Mr Bikindi and the RTLM radio station, accused of broadcasting "hate media". | |
Several RTLM officials have been convicted of charges related to the genocide. | |
Mr Bikindi is a former sports ministry official and founded Rwanda's Irindiro Ballet. | |
He was arrested five years ago in the Netherlands. |