France sentences former doctor to 27 years in latest Rwanda genocide trial

Rwandan doctor Eugene Rwamucyo, who has been sentenced to 27 years in France for his role in the 1994 genocide.

A French court on Wednesday sentenced a former doctor to 27 years for his role in the Rwanda genocide, in the latest trial in France over the African country's massacre three decades ago.

Eugene Rwamucyo, 65, was accused of aiding his country's then authorities to disseminate anti-Tutsi propaganda and of participating in mass murder by attempting to destroy evidence of genocide.

Rwamucyo's trial was the eighth in France relating to the genocide in 1994, when an estimated 800,000 people – mostly ethnic Tutsis – were slaughtered by the Hutu majority.

The former doctor, who practised medicine in France and Belgium after leaving his country, was found guilty of complicity in genocide, complicity in crimes against humanity and conspiring to prepare those crimes.

He was acquitted of charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Prosecutors had asked for 30 years in jail.

In his final statement ahead of the verdict Rwamucyo insisted he was innocent.

"I assure you that I did not order the killing of survivors or allow survivors to be killed," Rwamucyo said.

"I understand the suffering of those who are still looking for their loved ones... but I cannot help them," he added.

France puts Rwandan doctor on trial for alleged role in 1994 genocide

'One can kill with words'

Prosecuting lawyer Nicolas Peron had said Rwamucyo should be acquitted on the charge of crimes against humanity, saying there was no evidence to show Rwamucyo himself committed summary executions or acts of torture.

(AFP)


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