On June 17, the District Court of The Hague will begin the criminal trial against a suspect accused of genocide in Rwanda in 1994. On trial is a 66-year-old man from Rwanda who was arrested in Ede in February 2024. Among other charges, he is suspected of involvement in the murder of 3,000 Tutsis in a stadium.
During the Rwandan genocide, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus people were killed within three months. The case on trial involves certain events in the Rwandan municipality of Mbazi in the prefecture of Butare. According to the human rights organization Human Rights Watch more than 100,000 people were killed between April and July 1994 in this prefecture.
Massacre of 3,000 Tutsis
The National Public Prosecution Service accuses the defendant of having participated as an accomplice in a campaign of looting and destruction during which Tutsi homes were set on fire and destroyed, and their possessions were looted. Shortly thereafter, approximately 3,000 Tutsis who had gathered at the Mbazi stadium were massacred. The Public Prosecutor’s Office accuses the defendant of incitement to genocide and committing genocide of the Tutsis at the stadium.
International arrest warrant from Rwanda
The man has long been suspected in Rwanda of committing genocide and crimes against humanity. In 2014, Rwandan authorities issued an international arrest warrant for him and requested his extradition. Since the defendant now holds Dutch citizenship, he cannot be extradited.
Investigation in Rwanda
The International Crimes Team (TIM) of the Dutch national police began investigating the case in 2020, in collaboration with the National Public Prosecution Service. To that end, the TIM traveled frequently to Rwanda to interview witnesses and conduct on-site investigations. On February 14, 2024, the TIM arrested the Rwandan-born Dutch national. Dozens of witness interviews were subsequently conducted in Rwanda under the supervision of the examining magistrate.
Livestream
The criminal trial will take place from June 17 through June 29, 2026. The hearing begins at 9:00 a.m CEST. Attendance is possible via a video link in Dutch, English, and Kinyarwanda. On June 22, several victims will exercise their right to speak. The Public Prosecutor’s closing arguments and sentencing recommendation are scheduled for June 23. The court’s verdict is expected on August 28.
For more information on attending and registering for the video link: