Britain brings first charges over Rwandan genocide — BBC News World
In the United Kingdom, 65-year-old Vincent Brown, previously known as Vincent Bajinya, has been charged in connection with the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. As BBC News reports, Brown became the first person in the country to be charged with crimes related to these events.
Brown lives in north London. He is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.
Seven charges
The UK's Crown Prosecution Service has charged Brown with one count of aiding and abetting genocide and six counts of aiding and abetting murder as crimes against humanity.
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Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said Brown is accused of directing and encouraging other people to commit murder and genocide. According to him, the decision to bring charges was made after reviewing material submitted by the Metropolitan Police's War Crimes Team. The prosecution concluded that the legal test for initiating criminal proceedings had been met.
Police investigation
The Metropolitan Police said the charges were the result of a complex and extensive seven-year investigation. The War Crimes Team began it in September 2019 following a formal request from the Rwandan government to examine individuals suspected of involvement in the genocide in the Rugenge area of Kigali in April 1994.
London Counter Terrorism Policing chief Helen Flanagan said the United Kingdom is not a safe haven for people suspected of committing international crimes. She also said that other investigations are underway in the country into people suspected of involvement in similar crimes related to the genocide in Rwanda.
