- Callixte Gakwaya
Callixte Gakwaya (d.
2007-09-14 ) was aRwanda n lawyer who was defence counsel at theInternational Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) forYusuf Munyakazi , a former businessman fromCyangugu . Prior to this, Gakwaya was an official in the national sports ministry and the head of theIrindiro Ballet of Rwanda. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/5357062.stm 'Genocide lawyer' quits tribunal] , BBC News,18 September 2006 ]On
February 28 2006 , Gakwaya's appointment to the ICTR garnered controversy whenAloys Mutabingwa , Rwanda's representative to the ICTR, revealed that Gakwaya was himself on a list of genocide suspects previously released by the Rwandan government toInterpol . [ [http://www.hirondelle.org/arusha.nsf/0/1C37DAF9BD31E2AB4325712500337849?OpenDocument Rwanda Says UN Lawyer On Most Wanted Genocide List] , "Hirondelle News Agency ",March 02 2006 ]However, Gakwaya was not among the suspects named by the ICTR, and for this reason the Rwandan government requested he be extradicted from
Arusha toRwanda . Rwandan authorities had never voiced their suspicions before Gakwaya was appointed lead attorney. [ [http://allafrica.com/stories/200609070505.html Perturbation At the ICTR Caused By Arrest of a Lawyer Accused of Genocide] ] He used to work as an assistant lawyer within the defence team ofEliézer Niyitegeka , a former minister sentenced to life imprisonment.In September 2006, Rwanda threatened to cut off all contact with the ICTR unless Gakwaya was fired. Gakwaya resigned on
18 September 2006 .Notes and references
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