Dutch court jails man for life over role in Rwanda genocide

A 66-year-old Dutch man was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for his role in the genocide of 3,000 Tutsis in Rwanda during the 1994 violence. The court ruled that Eugene N. prevented victims from escaping a football stadium in Mbazi and threw a grenade into the crowd, committing "genocidal intent." He was also found guilty of attacks that preceded the stadium massacre, including looting and setting houses on fire.

The presiding judge stated that only a lifelong sentence could adequately address the suffering inflicted on the victims and their families. Prosecutors had urged for a life sentence, claiming N. was directly involved in the killings. The 1994 Rwandan genocide resulted in an estimated 800,000 deaths over three months, primarily targeting the Tutsi minority.

N. denied the charges, claiming he was a victim himself, and his lawyers urged for an acquittal. The defense team plans to appeal the verdict. N. had held a position of responsibility in the community, overseeing around 1,000 people in Mbazi at the time of the massacres. The court noted that he must have been aware of his role and influence as a local authority.

He was arrested in the Netherlands in 2024 and cannot be extradited to Rwanda due to his Dutch nationality.