Doctor charged with genocide offences in UK court
Dr Vincent Brown faces allegations stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide following a seven-year investigation.
Dr Vincent Brown, also known as Dr Vincent Bajinya, a 65-year-old doctor, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with offences related to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He is the first person in the UK to face such charges following a seven-year British investigation into the killings. Dr Brown, who is in custody, confirmed his name and address from the dock. He was told he faces a charge of conduct ancillary to genocide and six offences of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity.
Allegations and Investigation
The charges against Dr Brown relate to alleged events in the Rugenge district of Kigali between 6 April and 13 April 1994. Prosecutors stated that he is accused of killing, directing, or encouraging the deaths of members of the Tutsi ethnic group, with the intention of destroying the group wholly or in part. These alleged killings were described as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a civilian population, with knowledge of the attack, under the 2001 International Criminal Court Act. The alleged victims include members of the same household, a taxi driver, and a mother with her young son.
Dr Brown qualified as a medical doctor in Rwanda in the 1980s and previously held the position of head of the country's Department of Family Health in Kigali. After moving to the UK, he worked for Praxis, a London-based charity that assists refugees, from 2006. He also served on the Refugee Nurses Task Force, advising the UK government.
Court Proceedings
The case has been sent to the Old Bailey for a hearing scheduled for 9 October. A bail application was to be considered on Tuesday. Sam Blom-Cooper, a barrister representing Dr Brown, informed the court that his client denies all allegations and intends to present his case before a jury to clear his name. He stated that Dr Brown had long awaited this day to address the accusations.
Inquiries are continuing into other alleged genocide offences in Rwanda, as senior police officers have previously emphasised that the UK should not be a refuge for individuals accused of war crimes.
Questions this report answers
01What charges does Dr Vincent Brown face?
Dr Vincent Brown, also known as Dr Vincent Bajinya, faces one charge of conduct ancillary to genocide and six charges of conduct ancillary to murder as a crime against humanity. These charges stem from the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
02Where is Dr Vincent Brown's case being heard?
Dr Vincent Brown's case was heard at Westminster Magistrates' Court and has now been sent to the Old Bailey for a hearing on 9 October. A bail application was also to be considered on Tuesday.
03What is the background to these charges?
The charges follow a seven-year British investigation into the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Dr Brown qualified as a doctor in Rwanda in the 1980s and previously worked for a London-based charity assisting refugees.
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