FINAL HEARINGS IN EIGHT-YEAR-LONG PROCEDURE Claude Muhayimana Context Ongoing proceedings in France for crimes allegedly committed during the 1994 Rwandan genocide Suspect Naturalized French national originally from Rwanda Country of residence of suspect France Charges Complicity in crimes against humanity and genocide Developments in 2018 The appeal hearings against the referral decision took place on 18 October 2018 before the Investigation Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Paris (Chambre de l’instruction de la Cour d’Appel de Paris). The judgment will be delivered on 29 March 2019. Current status Pending trial Facts Claude Muhayimana is alleged to have driven Hutu militias to several attack locations, while he was the driver for the Kibuye Guesthouse. He was allegedly involved in the attack on the Nyamishaba school (Kibuye district) in April 1994, and in the massacres of Tutsi civilians who had found refuge in Karongi, Gitwa and Bisesero, between April and June 1994. He is also accused of participating in killings carried out in the Kibuye church on 17 April 1994 and in a stadium the following day. Both massacres resulted in the death of thousands of victims. Procedure On 13 December 2011, the Rwandan judicial authorities issued an international arrest warrant against Claude Muhayimana for his alleged participation in the Rwandan genocide. In addition, the Rwandan authorities requested his extradition from France. On 26 February 2014, the French Supreme Court (Cour de Cassation) ruled that Claude Muhayimana could not be extradited because Rwanda’s request was based on laws passed after the alleged crimes took place. On 9 April 2014, Claude Muhayimana was arrested in Rouen following a complaint filed in June 2013 by the “Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda” (CPCR). A criminal investigation was launched regarding his alleged role in the genocide committed in the district of Kibuye. Claude Muhayimana was placed in pre-trial detention. On 3 April 2015, he was released and placed under judicial control. On 9 November 2017, the investigative judge referred the case to the Paris Criminal Trial Court (Cour d’Assises de Paris) for complicity in genocide and crimes against humanity through aiding and abetting. Claude Muhayimana will be judged for his alleged participation in the Nyamishaba school attack, as well as for the massacres of Karongi, Gitwa and Bisesero, between April and June 1994. The accused appealed the referral decision. 35 Claude Muhayimana is also accused of taking part in the massacres at the Kiguye Church and the Gatwaro stadium the following day, where thousands of people were killed. However, the prosecutor called for the dismissal of the accusations with regard to these two events as Claude Muhayimana presented an alibi, proving he was not there during the events. Read more about the case