A 65-year-old Rwandan man has become the first person in the UK to face charges linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

London, United Kingdom (Running Africa) — British authorities have charged Dr Vincent Brown, formerly known as Vincent Bajinya, with offences linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, following a seven-year investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Team.

Brown was arrested and charged on Monday with one count of conduct ancillary to genocide and six counts of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity.

Prosecutors allege that Brown encouraged and incited others to carry out killings in Kigali’s Rugenge district in April 1994.

Seven-Year UK Investigation Into Rwanda Genocide Allegations

The Metropolitan Police investigation began in September 2019 after the Rwandan government formally asked UK authorities to examine alleged involvement in genocide-related crimes in Rugenge.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said charges were authorized after prosecutors reviewed evidence gathered during the investigation.

Brown, who lives in Islington, north London, was remanded in custody and is due to appear before Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The allegations have not been proven in court, and Brown is entitled to a fair trial.

1994 Rwanda Genocide Killed About 800,000 People

The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi killed an estimated 800,000 people over approximately 100 days.

Tutsi civilians were overwhelmingly targeted, while moderate Hutus and others who opposed the killings were also murdered during the violence.

The charges against Brown relate specifically to alleged conduct in Kigali during that period.

UK authorities said investigations involving other people suspected of participation in genocide and other atrocity crimes remain ongoing.

Brown’s prosecution marks the latest development in efforts to pursue alleged perpetrators more than three decades after the 1994 genocide.