CASE SUMMARY

CASE NO ICTR-97-21-I

PAULINE NYIRAMASUHUKO & ARSÉNE S. NTAHOBALI

INTRODUCTION:

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko was born in 1946, in Ndora Commune, Butare Prefecture Rwanda. P. Nyiramasuhuko was Minister Women`s development and welfare in the government of Juvenal Habyarimana. She subsequently held the same position in the interim government of Theodore Sindikubwabo.

Arséne Shalom Ntahobali, according to the indictment filed by the prosecutor, was born in 1970, in Kibarara Commune, Butare prefecture, Rwanda. But he denied this fact during his initial appearance and stated that he was in fact born in Tel Aviv Israel. He said was a University student in 1994 and not store manager as stated in the indictment.

Both Nyiramasuhuko and Shalom were arrested in Kenya in the month of July 1997 as a result of Warrant of Arrest issued by the Tribunal on the 29 day of May 1997.

INDICTMENT:

The prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda filed an indictment on the 26 day of May 1997 accusing both Pauline Nyiramasuhuko and Arsene Shalom Ntahobali of Genocide, Crimes against humanity and Serious violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva conventions, all offences committed in violation of article 2, 3 and 4 respectively of the Statute of the Tribunal. The indictment was confirmed by Judge Yakov Ostrovsky on the 29 May 1997.

INITIAL APPEARANCE:

The initial appearance in respect of Pauline Nyiramasuhuko was conducted on 3 September 1997 before Trial Chamber I of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. She pleaded not guilty to all Charges. The initial appearance of Shalom Ntahobali was done 17 October 1997 before the same Chamber. He as well pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 PRE-TRIAL MOTIONS: