Arusha — The genocide trial of former mayor of Mukingo Commune (Ruhengeri Province, north-western Rwanda) Juvénal Kajelijeli, at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, resumed on Monday with the testimony of the sixth defence witness.

Kajelijeli, 50, has pleaded not guilty to eleven counts of genocide and crimes against humanity. The prosecution maintains that he instigated, planned and participated in the killing of ethnic Tutsis in Mukingo and adjoining communes in 1994.

Most of the testimony of protected witness 'RGM' was heard in closed session. . The witness has confessed to participating in the killings of Tutsis in Mukingo during the genocide. The defence intends to present thirty witnesses

The trial had been adjourned on October 9(superscript: th) after four defence witnesses failed to travel from Rwanda to the ICTR in Arusha.

The trial is before Trial Chamber Two of the ICTR composed of Judges William Hussein Sekule of Tanzania (presiding), Arlette Ramaroson (Madagascar) and Winston Churchill Matanzima Maqutu (Lesotho).