Félicien Kabuga, one of the key suspects in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, has died in a hospital in The Hague while under provisional detention awaiting transfer to another country.
The news was confirmed by the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which had been holding him since his indictment on genocide related charges.
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IRMCT Orders Investigation Into Circumstances of Death
IRMCT President Graciela Gatti Santana ordered an investigation to establish the exact circumstances surrounding Kabuga’s death. Judge Alphons Orie was appointed to lead the inquiry.
Kabuga Accused of Major Role in 1994 Genocide
Kabuga was considered one of the major alleged perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
A former prominent Rwandan businessman, he spent 26 years evading arrest while reportedly living under false identities in different countries.
He was arrested in France in May 2020 and charged with genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, and direct and public incitement to commit genocide.
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Charges Included Crimes Against Humanity
Kabuga was also indicted on charges of crimes against humanity, including murder, persecution, and extermination committed during the 1994 genocide.
On October 26, 2020, he was transferred to the IRMCT detention facility in The Hague, where the court had jurisdiction over his case.
Trial Suspended Due to Health Concerns
Kabuga’s trial officially began on September 29, 2022. However, in September 2023, the IRMCT Appeals Chamber suspended proceedings after ruling that he was medically unfit to stand trial.
Despite the suspension, the court decided that he would remain under United Nations detention while awaiting transfer to a country willing to receive him.
Rwanda Had Offered to Receive Kabuga
Rwanda had expressed readiness to receive Kabuga, but his legal team and family opposed the move, arguing that his health condition would not allow him to endure a long flight.
Reports indicated that Kabuga wished to remain in one of two European countries, including France, but those requests were rejected. The Netherlands also reportedly declined to release him.
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IRMCT Prosecutors Saw Rwanda as the Remaining Option
According to IRMCT prosecutors, Kabuga faced little possibility of acceptance in European countries because of the seriousness of the allegations against him and the many years he spent evading justice.
The prosecution also noted that he had lived under false identities with assistance from relatives and associates. As a result, Rwanda remained the main viable option, with Rwandan authorities pledging to respect his rights while preventing him from continuing to remain under IRMCT responsibility.
