A 65-year-old Rwandan man, Vincent Bajinya, has become the first person from his country to be tried in a UK court for crimes committed during the 1994 genocide. Bajinya, who has been living in the UK for over 20 years, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in London on September 22, 2026. He faces charges of encouraging others to commit genocide and ordering the killing of six people, including a young woman and her child, in the first week of the genocide.
According to the prosecution, Bajinya, who was known as Vincent Brown, played a key role in the genocide, which occurred between April 6 and 13, 1994. During this period, thousands of people, mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group, were killed. The prosecution alleges that Bajinya, who was then in charge of a family planning unit in Kigali, gave instructions to others to carry out the killings. Witnesses, including some of his former neighbors, have testified that Bajinya was the one who "directed and controlled" the killings.
The six people Bajinya is accused of ordering to be killed were allegedly murdered over a four-day period. The victims included a young woman and her child. Bajinya's lawyer, Sam Blom-Cooper, argued that his client was not involved in the genocide and had left Kigali in mid-April 1994. However, the prosecution disputes this, saying that Bajinya's family did not leave Rwanda until July of that year.
The judge, Paul Goldspring, allowed Bajinya to be released on bail pending further hearings, but ordered him to provide a substantial surety. However, the prosecution has announced that it will appeal against this decision, and Bajinya will remain in custody until the appeal is heard. The case is set to continue at the Old Bailey court on October 9, 2026.
The British police unit responsible for investigating war crimes has confirmed that six other people are currently being investigated in connection with the genocide, including two men who have been arrested and charged. Bajinya's case is seen as a significant development in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the Rwandan genocide.
The genocide, which occurred in 1994, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 800,000 people, mostly from the Tutsi ethnic group. It is widely regarded as one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 20th century. The UK has been working to bring perpetrators of the genocide to justice, and this case is seen as an important step in that process.
Bajinya's lawyer has welcomed the start of the trial, saying that it provides an opportunity for his client to clear his name. However, the prosecution has warned that the case will likely be complex and may involve testimony from multiple witnesses.
Key points
- Vincent Bajinya is the first Rwandan to be tried in a UK court for crimes committed during the 1994 genocide.
- Bajinya faces charges of encouraging genocide and ordering the killing of six people.
- The trial is set to continue at the Old Bailey court on October 9, 2026.
