UK's first Rwanda genocide charges brought against London man, 65

Dr Vincent Brown, formerly known as Dr Vincent Bajinya, faces seven charges linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He is due at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

London man charged in UK's first genocide prosecution linked to Rwanda 1994

A 65-year-old man living in Islington, north London, has been charged with seven offences connected to the 1994 Rwanda genocide — the first case of its kind ever brought in the United Kingdom, The Independent reports.

Dr Vincent Brown, formerly known as Dr Vincent Bajinya, who previously resided in Kigali, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday. The charges include one count of conduct ancillary to genocide and six counts of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity, according to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Frank Ferguson, head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said the charges relate to allegations that Dr Brown "took part in the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in 1994." He is alleged to have directed and incited acts of murder and genocide carried out by others.

"The Crown Prosecution Service made its decision after reviewing a file of evidence submitted by the War Crimes Team at the Metropolitan Police," Ferguson said. "We concluded that our legal test for bringing criminal charges had been met."

Ferguson stressed that the CPS makes prosecution decisions independently of police and government, and urged against any reporting or sharing of information online that could prejudice the proceedings.

The investigation was launched by the Metropolitan Police War Crimes Team in September 2019, following a request from the Rwandan government. It focused on individuals allegedly involved in the genocide in the Rugenge district of Kigali in April 1994.

Commander Helen Flanagan, head of Counter Terrorism Policing London, described the charges as the result of "a huge amount of work and determination" from officers in the War Crimes Team.

"This case demonstrates the UK is not a safe haven for individuals suspected of committing international crimes," Flanagan said. She added that a number of other investigations into further individuals in the UK for similar offences related to the Rwandan genocide remain ongoing.

"Our thoughts remain with the people of Rwanda, particularly those who lost family members and loved ones during the genocide against the Tutsi," Flanagan said.

Source: The Independent