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m unable to find a source, kind of weird claim that may have been original synthesis, but im pretty sure that during the Rwandan Genocide there was more that 1.5 mil adult Hutus.
 
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{{Short description|Rwandan businessman and genocide suspect}}
[[Image:FelicienKabuga.jpg|thumb|right|Félicien Kabuga]]
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox criminal
| name = Félicien Kabuga
| image_name =
| image_size = 300px
| image_caption = Kabuga in early 2000s, while interviewed by journalist
| nationality = Rwandan
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1933|3|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = Muning, Mukarange, [[Byumba]], [[Ruanda-Urundi]]
| charge = 11 counts involving [[genocide]]<br /><small>(by Rwanda)</small>, 5 counts<br /><small>(by [[ICTR]])<ref name="unictr.org">Amended Indictment Case No. ICTR-98-44B-I; The Prosecutor against Félicien Kabuga, 1 October 2004: [http://unictr.irmct.org/en/cases/ictr-98-44b] PDF 17 March 2011 - Amended Indictment</ref></small>
| spouse = Josephine Mukazitoni
| children = 11
| apprehended = 16 May 2020
| imprisoned = [[International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals]], [[The Hague]]
}}


'''Félicien Kabuga''' (born 1 March 1933){{efn|Kabuga's birth date was previously believed to be 19 July 1935,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gras |first1=Romain |title=Rwanda: Félicien Kabuga one step closer to a trial in Arusha |url=https://www.theafricareport.com/29330/rwanda-felicien-kabuga-one-step-closer-to-a-trial-in-arusha/ |website=The Africa Report |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=4 June 2020}}</ref> but he stated the 1 March 1933 date during a 2020 court appearance.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Salaün |first1=Tangi |last2=van den Berg |first2=Stephanie |title=Rwanda's most-wanted genocide suspect appears before French court |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-france-rwanda-kabuga/rwandas-most-wanted-genocide-suspect-appears-before-french-court-idUSKBN22W1L9 |website=Reuters |access-date=14 August 2020 |date=20 May 2020}}</ref>}} is a Rwandan businessman and genocide suspect who played a major role in the run-up to the [[Rwandan genocide]]. A multimillionaire,<ref name="Economistfall">[http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9441341 How the mighty are falling], ''The Economist'', 5 July 2007. Accessed online 17 July 2007.</ref> he was closely connected to [[List of presidents of Rwanda|dictator]] [[Juvénal Habyarimana]]'s [[Hutu Power|Hutu nationalist]] [[Mouvement républicain national pour la démocratie et le développement|MRND]] party and the [[Akazu]], an informal group of [[Hutu]] extremists who helped lead the Rwandan genocide.<ref name=":0" />
'''Félicien Kabuga''' (born [[1935]]) is a [[Rwanda]]n businessman, accused of bankrolling and participating in the [[Rwandan Genocide]].<ref name=Economistfall>[http://www.economist.com/world/international/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9441341 How the mighty are falling], ''The Economist'', [[5 July]] [[2007]]. Accessed online [[17 July]] [[2007]].</ref>


Kabuga is noted for his role as the primary<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2013-11-11 |title=MICT-13-38 |url=https://www.irmct.org/en/cases/mict-13-38 |access-date=2020-06-04 |website=United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals |language=en}}</ref> financier of Hutu extremist [[media outlets]], such as the [[RTLM]] radio station and ''[[Kangura]]'' magazine, which advocated for the killing of the Tutsi minority.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |title=Felicien Kabuga - TRIAL International |language=en-US |work=TRIAL International |url=https://trialinternational.org/latest-post/felicien-kabuga/ |access-date=2018-06-25 |archive-date=27 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027015941/https://trialinternational.org/latest-post/felicien-kabuga/ |url-status=dead}}</ref>
Kabuga was born in [[Muniga]], in the commune of Mukarange, prefecture of Byumba, Rwanda. A multimillionaire,<ref name=Economistfall/> he was closely connected to [[Juvénal Habyarimana]]'s [[Mouvement républicain national pour la démocratie et le développement|MRND]] party.


In 2020, Kabuga was arrested by the [[Law enforcement in France|French police]] in [[Paris metropolitan area|Greater Paris]] at the age of 87 after 26 years as a fugitive.<ref name=":2" /> He was transferred to the custody of the [[International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals|IRMCT]] branch in [[The Hague]] to stand trial for [[crimes against humanity]],<ref name=":3" /> but was declared unfit to stand trial in 2023 due to [[dementia]].
⚫
In June 1994, after Rwanda was conquered by the [[Rwandese tPatriotic Front|RPF]], Kabuga fled the country. He first attempted to enter [[Switzerland]], but was ordered to leave. He went to [[Kinshasa]] in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], and was later believed to be resident in [[Nairobi]], [[Kenya]]. The Kenyan government are currently proving to be difficult in FBI investigations to apprehend Kabuga, as he has strong links to Gideon Moi, the son of Daniel arap Moi.


==Early life==
KTN news network in Kenya reported on June 14th, 2008 that Kabuga was arrested by Kenya Police on June 13th, 2008 and is being held at Gigiri Police Station in Nairobi.
Kabuga was born in Munig, in the [[Commune (administrative division)|commune]] of Mukarange, [[prefecture]] of Byumba, present-day [[Rwanda]].<ref name=":1" /> Kabuga amassed his wealth by owning tea farms in northern Rwanda, among other business ventures.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpxy4NxqboQ&feature=relmfu |website=www.youtube.com |language=en |access-date=2018-06-25}}</ref>


In 1993, at an RTLM fundraising meeting organised by the MRND, Félicien Kabuga allegedly publicly defined the purpose of RTLM as the defence of [[Hutu Power]].<ref>ICTR Case No. 99-52-T; The Prosecutor against Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza, Amended Indictment, pg. 19, 6.4; [http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/instree/ICTR/BARAYAGWIZA_ICTR-99-52/Judgment_&_Sentence_ICTR-99-52-T.pdf Tribunal Pénal International pour le Rwanda; International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda] PDF 5-12-2003</ref> During the [[ICTR]]'s so-called "media trial", former RTLM presenter [[Georges Ruggiu]] named Kabuga as the "Chairman Director-general" of the station, with duties such as "presiding over RTLM" and "representing RTLM."<ref>ICTR-99-52-T Prosecution Exhibit P 91B; "A DOCUMENT TITLED RTLM ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE RUGGIUS REPRESENTATION.PDF"</ref>
The [[International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda]] issued an international arrest warrant for Kabuga<ref name=Economistfall/> in August 1999, charging him with 11 counts, including [[genocide]], conspiracy to commit genocide, and complicity in genocide. As of 2007, he remains at large.<ref name=Economistfall/>


From January 1993 to March 1994, a total of 500,000 [[machetes]] were imported into Rwanda. Kabuga has been named as one of the main importers of these machetes.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Meredith, Martin (2006). ''[[The State of Africa]]'', p. 501. Simon & Schuster UK Ltd., London. {{ISBN|978-0-7432-3222-7}}.</ref>
According to June 2008 reports by the Norwegian-based African Press International (API) Kabunga was in hiding in [[Oslo]], [[Norway]] and might be seeking to turn himself in.<ref>[http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2458892.ece Rwandan war criminal reportedly in Oslo], [[Aftenposten]], 02 June 2008</ref>


==Indictment by ICTR==
⚫
==References==
On 29 August 1998, the prosecutor of the [[ICTR|United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda]], [[Carla Del Ponte]], indicted Kabuga. In the amended indictment dated 1 October 2004, prosecutor [[Hassan Jallow]] charged Kabuga with:
⚫
{{Reflist}}
* Conspiracy to commit genocide
* {{note|ictr-indictment}} [http://65.18.216.88/ENGLISH/cases/Kabuga/ Indictment against Kabuga], from the ICTR
* Genocide, or alternatively
* [[Complicity in genocide]]
* [[Direct and public incitement to commit genocide]]
* Extermination as a crime against humanity.<ref name=":1" />


==Life as a fugitive==
⚫
Kabuga fled Rwanda in 1994 as it was being conquered by the [[Rwandan Patriotic Front]]. He first attempted to enter [[Switzerland]], but was ordered to leave. He went to [[Kinshasa]] in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] and was later believed to be residing in [[Nairobi]], Kenya.

In September 1995, before any indictment and before he was named as a suspected planner of the genocide, Kabuga registered and ran a business, Nshikabem Agency, in Nairobi.<ref>{{cite web |title=International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda: Delayed Justice |url=http://cms.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/rwanda/international-criminal-tribunal-rwanda-delayed-justice |language=en |date=7 June 2001 |work=[[International Crisis Group]] |page=16n31 |access-date=17 January 2018 |archive-date=25 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625162513/http://cms.crisisgroup.org/africa/central-africa/rwanda/international-criminal-tribunal-rwanda-delayed-justice |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpxy4NxqboQ |title=YouTube |website=www.youtube.com |language=en |access-date=2018-06-25}}</ref>

In 2003, a young Kenyan journalist helping American agents from the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] track down Kabuga was murdered.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nation.co.ke/news/How-hit-squad-killed-man-who-laid-trap-for-Kabuga/1056-5554966-ldga1o/index.html |title=How hit squad killed man who laid trap for Kabuga |website=Daily Nation |access-date=17 May 2020}}</ref>

In a speech given on 28 August 2006 during his visit to Kenya, then-US Senator [[Barack Obama]] accused Kenya of "allowing [Kabuga] to purchase safe haven."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nation.co.ke/InDepth/AmericaVotes/-/464300/486880/-/nxp6l6z/-/index.html |title=Tough speech that kicked off diplomatic feud |date=3 November 2008 |first=Oliver |last=Mathenge |publisher=The Daily Nation}}</ref> The Kenyan government called the allegation "an insult to the people of this country."<ref>[http://www.communication.go.ke/media.asp?id=284 RESPONSE TO AMERICAN SENATOR BARACK OBAMA'S POORLY INFORMED COMMENTS ABOUT TERRORISM, WANTED GENOCIDE CRIMINALS AND GOVERNANCE IN KENYA] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090226224459/http://www.communication.go.ke/media.asp?id=284 |date=26 February 2009 }} Kenyan Office of Public Communications, 31 August 2006</ref>

According to June 2008 reports by a Norwegian-based blogger calling himself African Press International (API), Kabuga was in hiding in [[Oslo]], and might be seeking to turn himself in. Authorities dismissed this claim as a hoax.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2458892.ece |title=Rwandan war criminal reportedly in Oslo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603110323/http://www.aftenposten.no/english/local/article2458892.ece |archive-date=3 June 2008 |work=[[Aftenposten]] |date=2 June 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=- Etterlyst krigsforbryter oppholder seg i Norge |url=https://www.aftenposten.no/norge/i/6zyPO/--Etterlyst-krigsforbryter-oppholder-seg-i-Norge |work=[[Aftenposten]] |date=1 June 2008 |language=no}}</ref>

The [[United States State Department]] offered a reward of $5&nbsp;million for information leading to Kabuga's arrest.<ref name="npr_arrest" /> On June 14, 2008, [[KTN News Kenya]] reported that Kabuga had been arrested the day before and was being held at Gigiri Police Station in [[Nairobi]]. Later the suspect was found to be a local university lecturer, not Kabuga, and released. It was earlier suspected that Kabuga resided in Kenya and was to be running businesses and enjoying protection from either the Kenyan government or some influential figures within the country.<ref name="iopqz">{{cite news |last=Nyawo |first=James |date=4 August 2011 |title=Risking Irrelevance: The Threat of Impunity to the African Union |url=http://jurist.org/forum/2011/08/james-nyawo-africa-justice.php |publisher=[[JURIST]] |access-date=15 June 2018}}</ref>

==Arrest and court proceedings==
On 16 May 2020, police arrested Kabuga, aged 87, in [[Asnières-sur-Seine]], near [[Paris]], France; he had spent 26 years as a fugitive. French authorities expressed a desire to see him tried for [[crimes against humanity]] committed against the [[Tutsi]]s of Rwanda. He was arrested by French police as the result of a joint investigation with the [[International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals|IRMCT]] Office of the Prosecutor,<ref name=":2">{{Cite press release |title=Mechanism fugitive Félicien Kabuga arrested today |url=https://www.irmct.org/en/news/20-05-16-mechanism-fugitive-f%C3%A9licien-kabuga-arrested-today |date=16 May 2020 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125024622/https://www.irmct.org/en/news/20-05-22-mechanism-fugitive-f%C3%A9licien-kabuga-arrested-today |archive-date=25 November 2020 |publisher=[[International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals]]}}</ref> assisted by [[Interpol]] and law enforcement agencies in Rwanda, Belgium, and the United States.<ref name="npr_arrest">{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2020/05/16/857390356/rwandas-most-wanted-fugitive-f-licien-kabuga-arrested-for-war-crimes |title=Most infamous fugitive of Rwanda Genocide captured after 26-year run |last=Dwyer |first=Colin |date=16 May 2020 |publisher=[[NPR]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731095208/https://www.npr.org/2020/05/16/857390356/rwandas-most-wanted-fugitive-f-licien-kabuga-arrested-for-war-crimes |archive-date=31 July 2020 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 27 May, Kabuga denied the charges, but was denied bail.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 May 2020 |title=Rwandan Felicien Kabuga calls genocide charges 'lies' |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |agency=[[Deutsche Presse-Agentur]], [[Reuters]] |url=https://www.dw.com/en/rwandan-felicien-kabuga-calls-genocide-charges-lies/a-53590828 |url-status=live |access-date=7 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104065722/https://www.dw.com/en/rwandan-felicien-kabuga-calls-genocide-charges-lies/a-53590828 |archive-date=4 November 2020}}</ref>

On 3 June and then on 30 September 2020, French justice system approved the handover of Kabuga to the IRMCT.<ref>{{Cite news |title=French Court approves Felicien Kabuga's extradition |publisher=[[Voice of Nigeria]] |url=https://von.gov.ng/french-court-approves-felicien-kabugas-extradition}}{{Dead link|date=December 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=3 June 2020 |title=French court approves transfer of Rwandan genocide suspect |work=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/french-court-approves-transfer-rwandan-genocide-suspect-71045711 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611200041/https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/french-court-approves-transfer-rwandan-genocide-suspect-71045711 |archive-date=11 June 2020}}</ref> On 26 October 2020, he was transferred from France to the custody of the IRMCT branch in [[The Hague]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=26 October 2020 |title=Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga arrives in The Hague to face trial |publisher=[[Deutsche Welle]] |agency=[[Associated Press]], [[Agence France-Presse]] |url=https://www.dw.com/en/rwandan-genocide-suspect-felicien-kabuga-arrives-in-the-hague-to-face-trial/a-55402723 |url-status=live |access-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104191554/https://www.dw.com/en/rwandan-genocide-suspect-felicien-kabuga-arrives-in-the-hague-to-face-trial/a-55402723 |archive-date=4 November 2020}}</ref> He pleaded [[Not guilty (plea)|not guilty]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2020 |title=Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga pleads not guilty at U.N. court |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-warcrimes-rwanda-kabuga-idUSKBN27R2IT |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

In March 2023, Kabuga's trial was suspended to assess claims by his lawyers that he suffered from [[dementia]] and was not mentally competent to stand trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/f-licien-kabuga-rwanda-genocide-230609879.html|title=Félicien Kabuga: Rwanda genocide trial halted over dementia claims|website=Yahoo News|date=13 March 2023|last=Habte|first=Tarik}}</ref> The court announced that it had received an independent medical report regarding Kabuga's mental fitness and would be holding further hearings over the coming weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-11/rwanda-genocide-accused-s-trial-suspended-over-health/102084086|title=Trial of Rwandan genocide suspect suspended over dementia claims|website=Australian Broadcasting Company|date=11 March 2023}}</ref> Several psychiatrists subsequently testified that Kabuga suffered from both [[vascular dementia]] and [[Alzheimer's disease]] and was not fit to stand trial.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/202303240049.html|title=Rwanda: Kabuga is Not Fit to Stand Trial - Forensic Psychiatrist|website=AllAfrica|date=23 March 2023|last=Kuteesa|first=Hudson}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/6242/news/law/neurologist-says-kabuga-would-struggle-to-set-up-his-defence|title=Neurologist says Kabuga would struggle to set up his defence|date=29 March 2023|website=The New Times|last=Kuteesa|first=Hudson}}</ref>
On 7 June 2023, judges at a United Nations war crimes court in The Hague ruled Kabuga unfit to stand trial. According to the judges, Kabuga was "no longer capable of meaningful participation in his trial". This is based on his medical records and reports from staff who cared for him. The court suggested the judges adopt an alternative procedure that resembles a trial as closely as possible but without the possibility of a conviction.<ref>{{cite news |title=UN court rules Rwandan genocide suspect mentally unfit to stand trial |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/06/07/africa/felicien-kabuga-trial-incapable-intl/index.html |work= CNN |author=Zahid Mahmood |date=7 June 2023}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Kabuga is married to Josephine Mukazitoni and has 11 children.<ref>{{cite news |last=Irish |first=John |date=30 May 2020 |title=Children of Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga fear for father's life |work=[[Reuters]] |editor-last=Brown |editor-first=Tom |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-warcrimes-rwanda-kabuga/children-of-rwandan-genocide-suspect-kabuga-fear-for-fathers-life-idUSKBN2352K9 |url-status=live |access-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531042708/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-warcrimes-rwanda-kabuga/children-of-rwandan-genocide-suspect-kabuga-fear-for-fathers-life-idUSKBN2352K9 |archive-date=31 May 2020}}</ref> Two of his daughters are married to two of [[Juvénal Habyarimana]]'s sons.<ref name="unictr.org" /><ref>[https://www.chronicles.rw/2019/04/10/us-goes-to-social-media-hunting-for-hardcore-genocide-fugitives/ US Goes To Social Media Hunting For Hardcore Genocide Fugitives] chronicles.rw, retrieved 12 August 2019</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

⚫
==References==
⚫
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20140930205818/http://www.unictr.org/tabid/128/Default.aspx?id=64&mnid=12 ICTR page for Kabuga's case (ICTR-98-44B), including indictment]
*[http://www.trial-ch.org/trialwatch/profiles/en/facts/p96.html Trial Watch: Félicien Kabuga]
*[https://trialinternational.org/latest-post/felicien-kabuga/ TRIAL International: Félicien Kabuga] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027015941/https://trialinternational.org/latest-post/felicien-kabuga/ |date=27 October 2019 }}
*[http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/pix/events/b/wc/12329.htm U.S. State Department press release about Kabuga]
*[http://www.ibb.gov/fugitives/kabuga.html U.S. State Department International Crime Alert about Kabuga]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20020810104235/http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/pix/events/b/wc/12329.htm U.S. State Department press release about Kabuga]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060925214829/http://www.ibb.gov/fugitives/kabuga.html U.S. State Department International Crime Alert about Kabuga]
*[http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/warcrimes/index.cfm?page=kabuga Profile of Kabuga from Rewardsforjustice.net]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20041010142513/http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/english/warcrimes/index.cfm?page=kabuga Profile of Kabuga from Rewardsforjustice.net]
*[http://65.18.216.88/ENGLISH/cases/Kabuga/decisions/240605.htm ICTR decision about Kabuga]
*[http://www.nationaudio.com/News/EastAfrican/24062002/Regional/Regional35.html Genocide: Kabuga's Kenyan 'Friends'], ''[[The East African]]'', [[June 17]] [[2002]]
*[http://www.nationaudio.com/News/EastAfrican/24062002/Regional/Regional35.html Genocide: Kabuga's Kenyan 'Friends'], ''[[The East African]]'', 17 June 2002


{{Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Kabuga, Felicien}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kabuga, Felicien}}
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[[Category:1935 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Rwandan businesspeople]]
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:Hutu people]]
[[Category:20th-century Rwandan businesspeople]]
[[Category:Fugitives wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda]]
[[Category:Fugitives wanted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda]]
[[Category:Fugitives wanted by Rwanda]]
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[[Category:Hutu people]]
[[Category:Fugitives wanted on genocide charges]]
[[Category:Fugitives wanted on genocide charges]]
[[Category:People from Northern Province, Rwanda]]
[[Category:Rwandan genocide perpetrators]]

Latest revision as of 02:45, 30 November 2024

Félicien Kabuga
Born (1933-03-01) 1 March 1933 (age 91)
Muning, Mukarange, Byumba, Ruanda-Urundi
NationalityRwandan
SpouseJosephine Mukazitoni
Children11
Criminal charge11 counts involving genocide
(by Rwanda), 5 counts
(by ICTR)[1]
Date apprehended
16 May 2020
Imprisoned atInternational Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, The Hague

Félicien Kabuga (born 1 March 1933)[a] is a Rwandan businessman and genocide suspect who played a major role in the run-up to the Rwandan genocide. A multimillionaire,[4] he was closely connected to dictator Juvénal Habyarimana's Hutu nationalist MRND party and the Akazu, an informal group of Hutu extremists who helped lead the Rwandan genocide.[5]

Kabuga is noted for his role as the primary[6] financier of Hutu extremist media outlets, such as the RTLM radio station and Kangura magazine, which advocated for the killing of the Tutsi minority.[5][7]

In 2020, Kabuga was arrested by the French police in Greater Paris at the age of 87 after 26 years as a fugitive.[8] He was transferred to the custody of the IRMCT branch in The Hague to stand trial for crimes against humanity,[9] but was declared unfit to stand trial in 2023 due to dementia.

Early life

[edit]

Kabuga was born in Munig, in the commune of Mukarange, prefecture of Byumba, present-day Rwanda.[6] Kabuga amassed his wealth by owning tea farms in northern Rwanda, among other business ventures.[5]

In 1993, at an RTLM fundraising meeting organised by the MRND, Félicien Kabuga allegedly publicly defined the purpose of RTLM as the defence of Hutu Power.[10] During the ICTR's so-called "media trial", former RTLM presenter Georges Ruggiu named Kabuga as the "Chairman Director-general" of the station, with duties such as "presiding over RTLM" and "representing RTLM."[11]

From January 1993 to March 1994, a total of 500,000 machetes were imported into Rwanda. Kabuga has been named as one of the main importers of these machetes.[5][12]

Indictment by ICTR

[edit]

On 29 August 1998, the prosecutor of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, Carla Del Ponte, indicted Kabuga. In the amended indictment dated 1 October 2004, prosecutor Hassan Jallow charged Kabuga with:

Life as a fugitive

[edit]

Kabuga fled Rwanda in 1994 as it was being conquered by the Rwandan Patriotic Front. He first attempted to enter Switzerland, but was ordered to leave. He went to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was later believed to be residing in Nairobi, Kenya.

In September 1995, before any indictment and before he was named as a suspected planner of the genocide, Kabuga registered and ran a business, Nshikabem Agency, in Nairobi.[13][14]

In 2003, a young Kenyan journalist helping American agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation track down Kabuga was murdered.[15]

In a speech given on 28 August 2006 during his visit to Kenya, then-US Senator Barack Obama accused Kenya of "allowing [Kabuga] to purchase safe haven."[16] The Kenyan government called the allegation "an insult to the people of this country."[17]

According to June 2008 reports by a Norwegian-based blogger calling himself African Press International (API), Kabuga was in hiding in Oslo, and might be seeking to turn himself in. Authorities dismissed this claim as a hoax.[18][19]

The United States State Department offered a reward of $5 million for information leading to Kabuga's arrest.[20] On June 14, 2008, KTN News Kenya reported that Kabuga had been arrested the day before and was being held at Gigiri Police Station in Nairobi. Later the suspect was found to be a local university lecturer, not Kabuga, and released. It was earlier suspected that Kabuga resided in Kenya and was to be running businesses and enjoying protection from either the Kenyan government or some influential figures within the country.[21]

Arrest and court proceedings

[edit]

On 16 May 2020, police arrested Kabuga, aged 87, in Asnières-sur-Seine, near Paris, France; he had spent 26 years as a fugitive. French authorities expressed a desire to see him tried for crimes against humanity committed against the Tutsis of Rwanda. He was arrested by French police as the result of a joint investigation with the IRMCT Office of the Prosecutor,[8] assisted by Interpol and law enforcement agencies in Rwanda, Belgium, and the United States.[20] On 27 May, Kabuga denied the charges, but was denied bail.[22]

On 3 June and then on 30 September 2020, French justice system approved the handover of Kabuga to the IRMCT.[23][24] On 26 October 2020, he was transferred from France to the custody of the IRMCT branch in The Hague.[9] He pleaded not guilty.[25]

In March 2023, Kabuga's trial was suspended to assess claims by his lawyers that he suffered from dementia and was not mentally competent to stand trial.[26] The court announced that it had received an independent medical report regarding Kabuga's mental fitness and would be holding further hearings over the coming weeks.[27] Several psychiatrists subsequently testified that Kabuga suffered from both vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease and was not fit to stand trial.[28][29] On 7 June 2023, judges at a United Nations war crimes court in The Hague ruled Kabuga unfit to stand trial. According to the judges, Kabuga was "no longer capable of meaningful participation in his trial". This is based on his medical records and reports from staff who cared for him. The court suggested the judges adopt an alternative procedure that resembles a trial as closely as possible but without the possibility of a conviction.[30]

Personal life

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Kabuga is married to Josephine Mukazitoni and has 11 children.[31] Two of his daughters are married to two of Juvénal Habyarimana's sons.[1][32]

Notes

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  1. ^ Kabuga's birth date was previously believed to be 19 July 1935,[2] but he stated the 1 March 1933 date during a 2020 court appearance.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Amended Indictment Case No. ICTR-98-44B-I; The Prosecutor against Félicien Kabuga, 1 October 2004: [1] PDF 17 March 2011 - Amended Indictment
  2. ^ Gras, Romain (4 June 2020). "Rwanda: Félicien Kabuga one step closer to a trial in Arusha". The Africa Report. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  3. ^ Salaün, Tangi; van den Berg, Stephanie (20 May 2020). "Rwanda's most-wanted genocide suspect appears before French court". Reuters. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  4. ^ How the mighty are falling, The Economist, 5 July 2007. Accessed online 17 July 2007.
  5. ^ a b c d "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  6. ^ a b c "MICT-13-38". United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. 11 November 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  7. ^ "Felicien Kabuga - TRIAL International". TRIAL International. Archived from the original on 27 October 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Mechanism fugitive Félicien Kabuga arrested today" (Press release). International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals. 16 May 2020. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Rwandan genocide suspect Felicien Kabuga arrives in The Hague to face trial". Deutsche Welle. Associated Press, Agence France-Presse. 26 October 2020. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  10. ^ ICTR Case No. 99-52-T; The Prosecutor against Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza, Amended Indictment, pg. 19, 6.4; Tribunal Pénal International pour le Rwanda; International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda PDF 5-12-2003
  11. ^ ICTR-99-52-T Prosecution Exhibit P 91B; "A DOCUMENT TITLED RTLM ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE RUGGIUS REPRESENTATION.PDF"
  12. ^ Meredith, Martin (2006). The State of Africa, p. 501. Simon & Schuster UK Ltd., London. ISBN 978-0-7432-3222-7.
  13. ^ "International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda: Delayed Justice". International Crisis Group. 7 June 2001. p. 16n31. Archived from the original on 25 June 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2018.
  14. ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 25 June 2018.
  15. ^ "How hit squad killed man who laid trap for Kabuga". Daily Nation. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
  16. ^ Mathenge, Oliver (3 November 2008). "Tough speech that kicked off diplomatic feud". The Daily Nation.
  17. ^ RESPONSE TO AMERICAN SENATOR BARACK OBAMA'S POORLY INFORMED COMMENTS ABOUT TERRORISM, WANTED GENOCIDE CRIMINALS AND GOVERNANCE IN KENYA Archived 26 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine Kenyan Office of Public Communications, 31 August 2006
  18. ^ "Rwandan war criminal reportedly in Oslo". Aftenposten. 2 June 2008. Archived from the original on 3 June 2008.
  19. ^ "- Etterlyst krigsforbryter oppholder seg i Norge". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). 1 June 2008.
  20. ^ a b Dwyer, Colin (16 May 2020). "Most infamous fugitive of Rwanda Genocide captured after 26-year run". NPR. Archived from the original on 31 July 2020.
  21. ^ Nyawo, James (4 August 2011). "Risking Irrelevance: The Threat of Impunity to the African Union". JURIST. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
  22. ^ "Rwandan Felicien Kabuga calls genocide charges 'lies'". Deutsche Welle. Deutsche Presse-Agentur, Reuters. 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 4 November 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  23. ^ "French Court approves Felicien Kabuga's extradition". Voice of Nigeria.[dead link‍]
  24. ^ "French court approves transfer of Rwandan genocide suspect". ABC News. Associated Press. 3 June 2020. Archived from the original on 11 June 2020.
  25. ^ "Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga pleads not guilty at U.N. court". Reuters. 11 November 2020.
  26. ^ Habte, Tarik (13 March 2023). "Félicien Kabuga: Rwanda genocide trial halted over dementia claims". Yahoo News.
  27. ^ "Trial of Rwandan genocide suspect suspended over dementia claims". Australian Broadcasting Company. 11 March 2023.
  28. ^ Kuteesa, Hudson (23 March 2023). "Rwanda: Kabuga is Not Fit to Stand Trial - Forensic Psychiatrist". AllAfrica.
  29. ^ Kuteesa, Hudson (29 March 2023). "Neurologist says Kabuga would struggle to set up his defence". The New Times.
  30. ^ Zahid Mahmood (7 June 2023). "UN court rules Rwandan genocide suspect mentally unfit to stand trial". CNN.
  31. ^ Irish, John (30 May 2020). Brown, Tom (ed.). "Children of Rwandan genocide suspect Kabuga fear for father's life". Reuters. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  32. ^ US Goes To Social Media Hunting For Hardcore Genocide Fugitives chronicles.rw, retrieved 12 August 2019
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