UK brings first charges over 1994 Rwandan genocide

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A Rwandan man accused of taking part in the African nation's genocide has become the first person in the UK to face charges linked to the 1994 killings.

Dr Vincent Brown, formerly Dr Vincent Bajinya, allegedly directed and encouraged acts of murder and genocide carried out by others, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said on Monday.

Dr Brown, 65, who used to live in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, but now lives in Islington, north London, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

He will be charged with conduct ancillary to genocide and six offences of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity, prosecutors said.

The CPS alleges that Dr Brown "took part in the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994," Frank Ferguson, head of the service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said.

"He is alleged to have directed and incited acts of murder and genocide carried out by others."

After reviewing evidence compiled by the Met Police's War Crimes Team, the CPS "concluded that our legal test for bringing criminal charges had been met," Mr Ferguson added.

With criminal proceedings against Dr Brown now active, Mr Ferguson reminded the public that he has the right to a fair trial, and said it was "extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online that could prejudice those proceedings".

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The UK investigation began ⁠in 2019 following a request from ⁠the Rwandan government and involved years of international cooperation, he said.

Investigations ​into six other individuals remain ongoing, including two ​men arrested in 2024 and 2026 on suspicion ⁠of genocide and crimes against humanity who remain on bail.

More than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were ⁠killed in 100 days in the ​1994 genocide, orchestrated by the Hutu ruling majority ​and meticulously executed by local officials and ordinary citizens.

Sky News

(c) Sky News 2026: UK brings first charges over 1994 Rwandan genocide

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