London – In a historic step toward accountability for the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a British prosecutor has charged Dr. Vincent Brown, 65, with overseeing six killings. The charges were filed in Westminster Magistrates’ Court and include one count of conduct ancillary to genocide and six counts of conduct ancillary to murder as crimes against humanity.
Charges and alleged crimes
According to prosecutor Jane Stansfield, Brown, formerly known as Vincent Bajinya, supervised the murder of a young woman and her infant, three members of a household, and a taxi driver who was stoned to death. The alleged incidents occurred in April 1994 while Brown served as head of the department of family health at Rwanda’s National Office of Population.
Stansfield said Brown led a group to a house in Kigali’s Rugenge district on April 8 and ordered the shootings of Dominique Mukurarinda, Immaculee Mukankusi and Gerase Rurangirwa. He allegedly ordered the killings of Charlotte Kamaguja and her infant son Olivier Tuyishime on April 10, and directed the stoning of cab driver Leandre Mbogoye between April 9 and 11.
Legal context and bail
U.K. law permits prosecutors to bring charges for certain international offenses, including genocide and crimes against humanity, regardless of where the acts occurred. Brown was released on £25,000 bail and is scheduled to appear at London’s Central Criminal Court on October 9.
Brown did not enter a plea and only confirmed his identity in court. Defense lawyer Sam Blom‑Cooper said his client wants to clear his name, while another attorney, Frank Brazell, called the evidence “manifestly fabricated” and urged U.K. authorities to ensure a fair trial.
Background and response
Brown, originally from Kigali, has lived in London since arriving as an asylum‑seeker in 1998. He previously worked for a charity that assisted refugee nurses and midwives seeking to practice in Britain. He obtained U.K. citizenship in 2004 and changed his name at that time.
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo described the prosecution as a “long‑overdue step toward accountability” after a seven‑year investigation. Cmdr. Helen Flanagan, head of counter‑terrorism policing, said the case demonstrates that the United Kingdom is not a safe haven for international crime suspects.
Ongoing investigations
Police continue to investigate other Rwandan genocide suspects residing in Britain. The case underscores the U.K.’s commitment to applying its legal tools to address grave international crimes, regardless of where they were committed.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
