PARIS — Eugène Rwamucyo, a 67-year-old former Rwandan occupational health physician, began his appeal trial in Paris on Tuesday. Rwamucyo appeared before the Paris Assize Court to challenge his 2024 conviction for complicity in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis, complicity in crimes against humanity, and participation in a conspiracy to prepare those crimes.
Rwamucyo received a 27-year prison sentence following his initial conviction, and he faces a potential life sentence in the appeal proceedings. Judges found him guilty of supporting genocidal actions carried out by the Hutu-led regime. The Paris Assize Court stated during the initial trial that it had no doubt regarding Rwamucyo's responsibility for the crimes for which he was convicted. Judges also ruled that Rwamucyo's role in organizing and facilitating body disposal constituted a genocidal act, though they did not classify him as a direct perpetrator of mass killings.
Prosecutors accused Rwamucyo of supporting Hutu authorities during the 1994 genocide, which occurred between April and July 1994. They alleged he incited violence against Tutsis during a May 1994 speech at the University of Butare. Prosecutors also accused him of involvement in the burial of tens of thousands of victims in mass graves in Butare and of participating in actions that targeted wounded survivors. The 1994 genocide resulted in the deaths of an estimated 800,000 to one million Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Rwamucyo replaced his previous legal counsel with seven new attorneys for the appeal proceedings. His attorneys stated that he continues to deny all accusations and intends to challenge the evidence interpretation and prior trial conclusions. They argued that judicial findings must rely on legal proof rather than historical narratives. The appeal proceedings involve approximately 530 civil parties and are scheduled to conclude on July 17. The trial operates under the principle of universal jurisdiction, allowing French courts to prosecute individuals accused of serious international crimes regardless of where the crimes were committed. This case is among several genocide-related proceedings in French courts concerning the 1994 Rwanda genocide.