Rwanda genocide: Dutch court sentences man to life in prison

A Dutch court has sentenced a 66-year-old Rwandan-born man to life in prison for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The Hague District Court found Eugene N. guilty of participating in attacks on Tutsi communities and throwing a grenade into a crowd in a football stadium. The court emphasized that the defendant's actions demonstrated a profound disregard for human dignity and life.

N. was convicted of war crimes and genocide, specifically for his involvement in the massacre of around 3,000 Tutsis in Mbazi, southern Rwanda in April 1994. Despite his claim of victimhood, N. denied the charges and his lawyers argued that he had attempted to prevent the genocide. The court found that N.'s position of responsibility during the events exacerbated his crimes, as he must have been aware of his role.

While the court did not convict N. of incitement to genocide, defense lawyers plan to appeal the verdict. N. fled to the Netherlands in 1998, obtaining Dutch citizenship, and was arrested in Germany in 2024 after a three-year investigation by Dutch authorities.