On April 17, 2025, a pro forma hearing was held in the Ntambara case, concerning allegations of the defendant’s involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The defendant was not present. The hearing focused on the investigation’s progress, a motion to include new witness testimony, and a renewed request for the suspension of pre-trial detention.
The prosecution reported that four additional witnesses were heard during the March 2025 investigative mission to Rwanda. Due to interpreter shortages, translations of the testimonies are pending and expected by July. In total, fourteen witnesses have now been heard for the defense, with counsel indicating that up to four more may be added depending on ongoing interviews.
A procedural dispute arose over the inclusion of a new witness statement. The defense argued that the testimony contained contradictions relevant to the credibility of other witnesses and could support the defendant’s case. The prosecution objected, claiming the statement lacked exculpatory value and had not been adequately substantiated. The court ruled in favor of the defense, allowing the statement to be added to the case file.
The defense also renewed its motion to suspend the defendant’s pre-trial detention, citing his advanced age, deteriorating health, and the projected length of proceedings. Counsel argued that recent testimonies suggested the defendant had acted to protect individuals during the genocide. The prosecution disputed the defense’s interpretation of the witness statements and maintained that the seriousness of the charges continued to justify detention. The court rejected the motion, holding that the defendant’s personal circumstances did not outweigh the gravity of the allegations.
The next procedural hearing is scheduled for 7 July, 2025, at 12:00.
On February 18, 2025, the District Court of The Hague held a pro forma hearing in the case against the suspect, who is facing charges related to his alleged involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The defendant, currently held in the psychiatric detention facility in Vught, was present.
The hearing focused on the ongoing investigation, which has significantly expanded since Ntambara’s arrest in early 2024. The case file now includes digital evidence, tapped communications, official reports, and documents from Rwanda’s Gacaca Courts, a community-based justice system used after the genocide. The examining magistrate confirmed that the investigative phase remains active.
Both the prosecution and defense are scheduled to conduct multiple investigative missions to Rwanda throughout 2025, with trips planned for March, June, September, and November. Approximately fifteen witnesses are expected to be heard. The examining magistrate advised against exceeding this number per trip due to logistical and procedural constraints. The prosecution also indicated that further travel may be necessary in 2026.
The court addressed the translation of Gacaca documents, following the prosecution’s proposal to translate key materials into English instead of Dutch to ease interpretation challenges. The defense did not object, and the court approved this approach.
A key issue raised by the defense involved concerns over the alleged sharing of sensitive defense-related information with Rwandan authorities. The defense argued that personal details of defense lawyers had been shared without prior consultation, potentially compromising their safety. The prosecution maintained that its communication with Rwandan officials was limited to general investigative matters and did not include names or specific case details.
The defense submitted requests for the appointment of two expert witnesses, one specializing in post-genocide governance in Rwanda and the other in the Gacaca justice system. The prosecution objected to one expert, citing a previous denial by the examining magistrate on the grounds that the proposed testimony fell outside legal expertise. For the second expert, the prosecution questioned the necessity of their appointment and suggested an alternative expert, Elaine Dumas, known for her fieldwork in Rwanda and proficiency in the local language.
The defense also submitted a motion for release or, alternatively, a suspension of pre-trial detention, citing Ntambara’s advanced age, declining mental health, and the risk of extended pre-trial incarceration. They further pointed to inconsistencies in witness statements as evidence of weakened case severity.
The court ultimately denied the request for release or suspension, stating that while witness statements contained discrepancies, these were not substantial enough to undermine the seriousness of the charges. The court concluded that the gravity of the alleged crimes outweighed the defendant’s personal circumstances.
Regarding the defense’s investigative requests, the court authorized the appointment of one expert and deferred a decision on the second until the examining magistrate could assess the relevance of their expertise. The next procedural hearing is scheduled for April 17, 2025, at 13:30.