Burundi Military Court Declines to Try Massacre Suspects

A military tribunal established to try suspects accused of a 2006 massacre of 31 Burundi civilians has declined to carry out its mandate because two of the suspects have returned to civilian life. Defence lawyer Deo Ndikumana said the two suspects’ departure from the army effectively removed the case from the court’s jurisdiction. The suspects had been accused of murdering the civilians in cohorts with the PalipeHutu-FNL rebels, who, incidentally, are currently engaged in peace negotiations with the Burundian government. [P.E]