UK Doctor Accused of Orchestrating Murders During 1994 Rwanda Genocide
Prosecutors allege the physician acted as a leader or supervisor in the killings of six people, including a mother and child, marking a first for UK genocide offense cases.
A doctor is facing charges in the United Kingdom for allegedly directing the murders of six people, including a young woman and her infant son, during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Prosecutors contend this is the first UK case involving alleged genocide offenses committed in Rwanda.
Dr. Vincent Brown, formerly known as Dr. Vincent Bajinya, 65, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. He is accused of being a "leader or supervisor" of violent acts allegedly carried out by others during the genocide. The charges include one count of conduct ancillary to genocide and six counts of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity.
The allegations stem from April 1994, when Brown, then 33, was reportedly working for the Rwandan government as the head of the department of family health at the National Office of Population in Kigali. Prosecutor Jane Stansfield informed the court that Brown is alleged to have directed and incited acts of murder and genocide carried out by others.
According to the prosecution, Brown was allegedly involved in six killings between April 6 and April 13, 1994. These include the deaths of three individuals from the same household, a taxi driver, and a woman, Charlotte Kamaguja, and her baby son, Olivier Tuyishime. Prosecutors allege that on April 8, Brown took a group to a house and ordered the shooting of Dominique Mukurarinda, Immaculee Mukankusi, and Gerase Rurangirwa. Between April 9 and April 11, he is accused of directing a group in the killing of Leandre Mbogoye, who prosecutors allege was stoned to death. On April 10, Brown allegedly ordered the killing of Kamaguja and her baby son.
Brown denies any involvement in the alleged killings. He reportedly told police during a 2020 interview in Britain that he had played no part in the murders. His barrister, Sam Blom-Cooper, stated that Brown is determined to clear his name.
The investigation was initiated by the Metropolitan Police War Crimes Team in September 2019, following a request from the Rwandan government. Officers were tasked with investigating allegations concerning individuals suspected of involvement in killings in Kigali's Rugenge district during the genocide. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, emphasized that the UK is "not a safe haven for individuals suspected of committing international crimes" and that other investigations into similar offenses related to the Rwandan genocide are ongoing.
The Rwandan genocide, which lasted approximately 100 days in 1994, resulted in the deaths of over 800,000 people, primarily members of the Tutsi minority and moderate Hutus who attempted to protect them.
Dr. Brown, who previously lived in Kigali, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and tan trousers and confirmed his name, date of birth, and address. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring granted him conditional bail, requiring him to provide a £25,000 security, reside at his stated address, and surrender his passport. He is scheduled to appear at the Old Bailey on October 9. The allegations have yet to be tested in trial.