A doctor is facing charges in the United Kingdom for allegedly directing the murders of six people, including a woman and her infant son, during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Prosecutors assert 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 carried out by others during the bloodshed. 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 told the court that Brown allegedly directed a group to a house on April 8 and ordered the shooting of Dominique Mukurarinda, Immaculee Mukankusi, and Gerase Rurangirwa. Between April 9 and 11, he is accused of directing others in the killing of Leandre Mbogoye, who was allegedly stoned to death.
On April 10, Brown allegedly ordered the killing of Charlotte Kamaguja and her baby son, Olivier Tuyishime.
Brown denies any involvement in the alleged killings. During an interview with British police in September 2020, he stated he had played no part in the murders. His barrister, Sam Blom-Cooper, informed the court 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 to examine allegations against individuals suspected of involvement in killings in Kigali's Rugenge district.
Frank Ferguson, head of the Crown Prosecution Service Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, stated that the charges relate to allegations of Dr. Brown's participation in the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, claiming he directed and incited acts of murder and genocide. Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, emphasized that the UK is not a safe haven for those suspected of international crimes and that further investigations into similar offenses are ongoing.
The Rwandan genocide, which lasted approximately 100 days in 1994, resulted in the deaths of over 800,000 people, primarily Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Dr. Brown, who previously lived in Kigali, appeared in court wearing a white shirt and tan trousers, speaking only to confirm 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.