The Appeals Chamber of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda has today issued its final judgment. The Appeals Chamber overturned various convictions and reduced the sentences of each of the six appellants. As a consequence, it ordered the immediate release of two appellants, Joseph Kanyabashi and Sylvain Nsabimana.
Nyiramasuhuko et al, known as ‘Butare’, is believed to be the longest criminal trial in history, comprising 714 trial days. The Appeals Chamber confirmed, overturning the Trial Chamber’s finding, that in respect of each appellant, their right to trial without undue delay had been violated.
Today’s judgment signals the end the ICTR’s operation. Jurisdictional and operational matters will now be transferred to the Mechanism for International Criminal Tribunals, a residual body.
Joe Holmes represented Colonel Alphonse Nteziryayo.
A summary of the judgment will be made available on the tribunal’s website:
Image source: www.unictr.org
Text source: Joe Holmes (14th December 2015)