Former Rwandan Medical Dean Indicted in France for Alleged Role in 1994 Genocide
Paris, France – Alphonse K., a former dean of a medical faculty in Rwanda, has been formally indicted in Paris on Friday, February 28, on suspicion of participating in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi population. The indictment, confirmed by the National Anti-Terrorist Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) to Agence France-Presse (AFP), includes charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy to commit such crimes.
The PNAT stated that the individual, described as "domiciled in France," has been placed under judicial supervision following the indictment. The investigation centers around his alleged involvement in the Rwandan genocide of 1994, specifically concerning events that transpired within the Butare prefecture in southern Rwanda.
According to sources close to the investigation, the individual in question is Alphonse K., born in 1951 and a naturalized French citizen. He held the position of physician and dean of the medical faculty in Butare during the spring of 1994, a period coinciding with the height of the genocide. Alphonse K. was taken into custody on Tuesday as part of a preliminary investigation initiated by the PNAT on November 13, 2024. The investigation is being conducted by the Central Office for Combating Crimes Against Humanity (OCLCH).
The charges against Alphonse K. stem from allegations of his complicity in facilitating the genocide or, at the very least, failing to oppose the atrocities. This information comes from a source directly involved in the investigation, indicating the seriousness with which French authorities are treating the matter.
Alphonse K.’s lawyer, Marcel Ceccaldi, expressed his criticism of the French judicial system’s focus on Rwandan genocide cases, suggesting that without such cases, the specialized unit within the Paris court system would be underutilized. Ceccaldi characterized the unit’s actions as overly zealous in executing the perceived wishes of the Rwandan regime.
However, the prosecution’s case rests on specific allegations of Alphonse K.’s direct involvement. Sources close to the investigation claim that he incited violence against the Tutsi minority during a meeting held on May 14, 1994, in Butare. Jean Kambanda, who served as the prime minister of the interim government at the time, was allegedly present at the meeting. According to one of the sources, a "transcript" exists documenting the statements made during the meeting, though Alphonse K. reportedly disputes the accuracy of the record and denies making the inflammatory remarks.
Furthermore, Alphonse K. is accused of issuing instructions within the Butare hospital aimed at the "extermination or deportation" of Tutsi patients, refugees seeking shelter, and Tutsi members of the hospital staff. This accusation suggests a systematic targeting of the Tutsi population within the institution he oversaw, adding another layer of gravity to the charges against him.
The Rwandan genocide, a horrific event orchestrated by the extremist Hutu regime, unfolded from April to July 1994. During this period, an estimated 800,000 people, primarily members of the Tutsi minority and moderate Hutu individuals, were brutally murdered by the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) and the Interahamwe militia.
The indictment of Alphonse K. in France underscores the ongoing international efforts to hold individuals accountable for their alleged roles in the Rwandan genocide. The pursuit of justice for the victims of this tragedy continues, even decades after the events occurred. The French legal system, like those in other countries, is employing principles of universal jurisdiction to prosecute individuals suspected of committing genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, regardless of where the crimes were committed or the nationality of the perpetrators or victims.
The Alphonse K. case serves as a reminder that the international community remains committed to investigating and prosecuting those responsible for the Rwandan genocide. The charges against him, including genocide, crimes against humanity, and conspiracy, reflect the severity of the alleged offenses and the commitment to ensuring that justice is served. The legal proceedings are expected to be complex and lengthy, involving the examination of evidence, witness testimonies, and legal arguments. The outcome of the case will have significant implications for the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Rwandan genocide and the ongoing efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
