War crimes trial will go ahead: judge

Quebec Superior Court has turned down a request for dismissal from the first person in Canada to be charged with war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Judge André Denis said Monday thatDésiré Munyaneza's lawyers have enough information to mount his defence, and have a reasonable understanding of the prosecution's case against the Rwandan man.

Munyaneza's legal team had asked the court to dismiss the case, claiming they lacked important information, including a list of his alleged victims and details about the crimes committed against them.

Monday's ruling means the Crown will continue to build the case against Munyaneza, who is expected to go to trial next spring.

Munyaneza was arrested in Toronto in October 2005 on charges relating to the 1994 genocide in his home country. He had been living in the Ontario capital with his wife and children after being denied refugee status.

A Hutu by birth and the son of an affluent businessman, Munyaneza is accused of raping and murdering people in Rwandan's southern Butare province during the genocide.

His arrest and subsequent arraignment was the first time anyone had been charged under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.

Thecourt will send a team to Rwanda over the winter to gather evidence from witnesses and victims named in the case, who can't travel to Canada for the trial.