OR: ENG
TRIAL CHAMBER I
Before:
Judge Erik Møse, presiding
Judge Sergei Alekseevich
Egorov
Judge Dennis C. M. Byron
Registrar: Adama Dieng
Date: 9 February 2005
THE
PROSECUTOR
v.
Aloys SIMBA
Case No. ICTR-01-76-T
DECISION ON THE DEFENCE REQUEST FOR TAKING THE EVIDENCE OF WITNESS FMP1 BY DEPOSITION
Office of the Prosecutor:
Richard Karegyesa
Sulaiman Khan
Ignacio Tredici
Amina Ibrahim
Counsel for the Defence
Sadikou
Ayo Alao
Beth Lyons
THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL TRIBUNAL FOR RWANDA (“the Tribunal”);
SITTING as Trial Chamber I, composed of Judge Erik Møse, presiding, Judge Sergei Alekseevich Egorov, and Judge Dennis C. M. Byron;
BEING SEIZED OF the “Requête de la défense en vue de faire auditionner le témoin FMP1 sous la direction d’une personne mandatée par le tribunal ”, filed on 18 January 2005;
CONSIDERING the Prosecution’s response, filed on 24 January 2005; and the Defence reply, filed on 28 January 2004;
HEREBY DECIDES the motion.
INTRODUCTION
1. Witness FMP1 was originally scheduled to testify during the first trial segment of the Defence case from 13 December to 17 December 2004, but was unable to come to Arusha. The Defence now seeks to take her evidence by deposition or by video-link on one of the following dates: 15 and 16 February 2005; 21 and 22 February 2005; 17 and 18 March 2005; 23 and 24 March 2005; or 28 and 30 March 2005.
SUBMISSIONS
2. The Defence states that Witness FMP1’s evidence supports the Accused’s alibi. The witness remains willing to testify on behalf of the Defence but is unable to come to Arusha to testify for health and employment reasons. The Defence contends that the witness’s health reasons, documented by a medical certificate, constitute exceptional circumstances for ordering a deposition pursuant to Rule 71 (A). In her letter to the Defence annexed to the motion, the witness notes that she is willing to testify by video-link from The Hague. Based on this, the Defence also requests this option, arguing that the criteria for taking a deposition by video-link has been satisfied.
3. The Prosecution argues that the Defence failed to adequately document the witness’s medical condition or to demonstrate that her testimony is sufficiently important or unique so that it would be unfair to proceed without it. Therefore, there are no exceptional circumstances which justify the taking of a deposition.
DELIBERATIONS
4. The Defence has requested a deposition of Witness FMP1. Rule 71 (A) provides the Chamber with the discretion to order the taking of depositions where exceptional circumstances exist and where it would be in the interests of justice. In this case, however, the Chamber does not find it necessary to consider ordering a deposition in light of the witness’s willingness to travel to The Hague to testify via video-link on several proposed dates which correspond to the upcoming trial segment. The Defence in its motion notes this willingness and also proposes it to the Chamber.[1] Rule 90 (A) sets forth the general principle that a witness shall be heard directly by the Chamber. For this reason, it would not be in the interests of justice to authorize a deposition where video-link testimony is feasible; this is a more direct form of evidence, and allows the full bench to observe the witness’s demeanour.[2]
5. Video transmission of testimony has been authorized in this Tribunal on some occasions. Video-link testimony may be allowed for witness protection purposes under Rule 75 of the Rules of Procedure and Evidence, and when it is in the interests of justice. This standard has been elaborated in ICTY and in subsequent ICTR jurisprudence. In particular the Chamber will consider the importance of the testimony; the inability or unwillingness of the witness to attend; and whether good reason has been adduced for the inability or unwillingness to attend.[3]
6. The Chamber finds that in the present circumstances authorizing Witness FMP1’s testimony by video-link is in the interests of justice. The witness’s evidence appears to be relevant to the Accused’s alibi. She is unable to travel to Arusha due to a medical condition documented by a signed statement from a physician. Medical grounds normally justify allowing video-link testimony.[4] The medical certificate is only briefly worded. It would have been preferable for the Defence to provide greater detail concerning the witness’s medical condition. However, attempts by the Chamber to obtain additional details have been unsuccessful, and the trial is scheduled to resume on 14 February 2005.
7. The Chamber’s strong preference is that most witnesses should be heard in court. However, the Chamber can identify no particular reason why in court testimony might be preferable to hearing the witnesses live via video-link in the present circumstances.
FOR THE ABOVE REASONS, THE CHAMBER
DENIES the Defence request for a deposition;
ORDERS the taking of Witness FMP1’s testimony via video-link from the seat of the Appeals Chamber in The Hague;
INSTRUCTS the Registry, in consultation with the parties, to make all necessary arrangements in respect of the testimony of Witness FMP1 via video-link, and to videotape the testimony for possible future reference by the Chamber.
Arusha, 9 February 2005
(Seal of the Tribunal)