Facts
On 17 April 1994, in a public speech, Munyemana allegedly incited Hutus to exterminate the Tutsi community of Tumba. He has also been convicted of taking part, from 21 April 1994, in several massacres of Tutsis in and around Tumba. He is reported to have distributed ammunition and compiled lists of Tutsis to be eliminated. He allegedly led night patrols and specified who should be abducted. He is also accused of having organized a hunt against Tutsis, detained some of them in inhumane conditions and sent them to killing sites.
Procedure
On 18 October 1995, the NGOs Collectif girondin pour le Rwanda, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Survie lodged a criminal complaint against Munyemana for his alleged participation in genocide. In 2001, the Collectif des parties civiles pour le Rwanda joined the proceedings as a civil party.
In 2006, Rwanda requested Munyemana’s extradition from France. However, on 7 October 2010, the Investigation Chamber of the Bordeaux Court of Appeal denied this request.
In October 2008, Munyemana was found guilty in absentia by the Butare Gacaca Court in Rwanda. He was sentenced to life imprisonment.
On 14 December 2011, Munyemana was charged while under investigation (mis en examen) in France for crimes against humanity and genocide and placed under judicial surveillance.
On 9 May 2017, the investigative judges of the specialized unit for the prosecution of international crimes informed the parties that they had completed their investigation.
On 11 May 2018, the prosecutor issued his final submission.
In 2021, the investigative judges ordered that Munyemana be sent to trial for the commission of crimes against humanity, genocide, complicity in these crimes and participation in a group formed for the purpose of preparing these crimes.
Munyemana appealed this decision before the Court of Appeal (Cour d’appel) and the Supreme Court (Cour de cassation), unsuccessfully.
Munyemana’s trial started before the Paris Criminal Court on 13 November 2023. On 19 December 2023, Munyemana was convicted and sentenced to 24 years of imprisonment for genocide, crimes against humanity and participation in a group formed for the purpose of preparing these crimes. He was acquitted of the charges of complicity in these crimes.
Muyemana appealed the conviction.