Rwandan ex-doctor on trial in France for genocide | National

A former doctor went on trial in Paris on Tuesday for genocide in Rwanda. Three decades after the massacre of the African country's Tutsi population by the Hutu majority, he is the latest suspect to face trial in France.

Eugene Rwamucyo, 65, is accused of assisting his country's then-authorities in spreading anti-Tutsi propaganda and engaging in mass killings to destroy evidence of genocide.

The former doctor, who practiced medicine in France and Belgium after leaving his country, was accused of genocide, complicity in genocide, crimes against humanity, complicity in crimes against humanity and conspiracy to prepare these crimes.

If found guilty, he could face life in prison.

The trial in the Paris court is scheduled to last all month until October 29th.

Rwamucyo, who is not in custody, appeared in court accompanied by his lawyers without making any comment.

Rwamucyo's trial is France's eighth in connection with the 1994 genocide in which an estimated 800,000 people – mostly ethnic Tutsis – were slaughtered.

– International Arrest Warrant –

Rwamucyo, who grew up in a Hutu family, was approached by anti-Tutsi fighters in the late 1980s after returning from studying in Russia, according to prosecutors, who accuse him of spreading anti-Tutsi propaganda at the time.

While teaching at the university, he also took part in the execution of wounded patients and helped bury them in mass graves, “in a final attempt to destroy evidence of genocide,” the prosecution said, citing witness statements.

His lawyers Philippe Meilhac and Françoise Mathe say Rwamucyo denies any wrongdoing and argues that the accusation is based on his opposition to the current Rwandan government.

His involvement in burying bodies in mass graves was motivated by a desire to avoid a “health crisis” that would have occurred if they had been left in the open, the lawyers said.

Acting on an international arrest warrant from Rwanda, Rwamucyo was arrested by French police in May 2010 after a tip-off from his colleagues at Maubiege Hospital, where he was working at the time.

“He was openly anti-Tutsi and publicly expressed his support for the genocidal government,” said Emmanuel Daoud, a lawyer for LDH and FIDH, two human rights organizations that are among the plaintiffs.

Around 60 witnesses are expected to testify during the trial.

In December 2023, a French court sentenced another former doctor, Sosthene Munyemana, to 24 years in prison for his role in the 1994 genocide.

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