As from Monday 29 September 1997, a second courtroom will be operational at the ICTR. The opening of this second courtroom is in line with the expectations of the Tribunal's authorities to see justice done quickly and fairly. The Tribunal is currently holding 21 persons in custody at the United Nations Detention Facility in Arusha.

This second courtroom should enable the two Trial Chambers to conduct two trials simultaneously: the trial of Georges Anderson Rutaganda before Trial Chamber 1 and the joint trial of Clement Kayishema and Obed Ruzindana before Trial Chamber 2.

The trial of Georges Anderson Rutaganda will resume before Trial Chamber 1, composed of Judge Laïty Kama, Presiding Judge, Judge Lennart Aspegren and Judge Navanethern Pillay. This trial which began on 18 March 1997 and was adjourned on 20 June after hearing nine prosecution witnesses. Georges Rutaganda was arrested in Zambia on 10 October 1995 and transferred to Arusha on 26 May 1996. He pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance on 30 May 1996. Georges Rutaganda is charged with genocide, crimes agajnst humanity , violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II.

The joint trial of Clément Kayishema and Obed Ruzindana will resume before Trial Chamber 2, composed of Judge William Sekule, Presiding Judge, Judge Yakov O. Ostrovsky and Judge Taffazal H. Khan. The trial began on 11 April 1997, was adjourned on 8 May 1997, after hearing 14 prosecution witnesses. Clément Kayishema was arrested in Zambia on 2 May 1996 and transferred to Arusha on 26 May 1996. He pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance on 31 May 1996. Obed Ruzindana, his co-accused, was arrested on 20 September 1996 in Kenya and transferred to Arusha on 22 September 1996. He pleaded not guilty during his initial appearance on 29 October 1996.

These two co-accused are being prosecuted for their alleged participation in the massacres in Kibuye prefecture between April and July 1994. They are charged with crimes against humanity, serious violations of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II.

The Kayishema-Ruzindana case is the first joint trial by the ICTR.