Rwanda genocide tribunal adjourns for day

January 9, 1997
Web posted at: 11:15 a.m. EST (1615 GMT)

ARUSHA, Tanzania (CNN) -- The problem-plagued tribunal on Rwanda's 1994 genocide adjourned for one day after a brief start on Thursday because prosecution witnesses had not arrived in Tanzania from neighboring Rwanda, the court was told.

Rwanda swiftly blamed the U.N.-created tribunal for the snag, saying travel documents for the witnesses had been requested only two days ago.

Tribunal officials told reporters 31 witnesses, due to testify against Hutu former government official Jean-Paul Akayesu, had encountered visa problems. Akayesu, 43, is charged with genocide and crimes against humanity during the four-month slaughter. He has pleaded not guilty.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Related stories:

• Rwandan refugee tide swells - December 16, 1996
• Rwanda prepares for marathon genocide trials - March 1, 1996
• Rwanda tribunal slowed by bureaucracy, lack of cash - February 29, 1996

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