France puts ex-top Rwanda official on trial for genocide

On Monday, a former senior Rwandan official was charged with participation in the African country’s genocide in Paris, making him the highest-ranking individual to face justice in France over the 1994 atrocities.

Laurent Bucyibaruta’s case is the fourth from the Rwandan genocide to reach a court in France, which has long faced pressure from activists to prosecute accused perpetrators who have sought sanctuary in the country.

An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus perished in 100 days of slaughter in 1994 in which Hutu militiamen massacred Tutsis taking cover in churches and schools.

Standing trial on charges of genocide, complicity in genocide and complicity in crimes against humanity, Bucyibaruta faces a life sentence if convicted.

The 78-year-old, who suffers from health problems, entered the courtroom in a wheelchair, a walking stick in his hand.

Bucyibaruta, in a hoarse voice, asked if he could remain seated, as offered by the court’s president.

At the heart of the case are several “security” meetings, either ordered by Bucyibaruta or in which he participated. The accusation says they were slaughter-planning sessions.

In particular the former prefect of the southern province of Gikongoro is accused of persuading thousands of people to take refuge in the Murambi Technical School, by promising them food, water and protection.

But days later, in the early hours of April 21, tens of thousands of Tutsis were executed in one of the genocide’s grimmest episodes.

The court will also discuss Bucyibaruta’s responsibility in the massacre of around 90 Tutsi pupils at the Marie Merci school in Kibeho on May 7 and in the execution of Tutsi prisoners — including three priests — in Gikongoro prison.

Bucyibaruta denies the charges and refutes any involvement in the killings.

His lawyers will first call for the case to be thrown out for unreasonable delays, as the proceedings began 22 years ago.

But if that fails, Bucyibaruta’s defense told AFP they would call for his acquittal.

The trial is expected to last two months and feature over 100 witnesses including survivors from Rwanda, who have flown over or will appear via videoconference.

Bucyibaruta, who has been in France since 1997 and is under judicial supervision, suffers from a variety of health issues, thus hearings should be limited to seven hours a day.

In three cases, French courts have already found four persons guilty of genocide: a former hotel driver was sentenced to 14 years in prison, an army officer was sentenced to 25 years in prison, and two mayors were sentenced to life in prison.