This archive report was first published on 18 December 2021.
December 13, 2021, marked a significant update on the trial of Felicien Kabuga, a suspected genocide financier, at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) in The Hague. Kabuga was arrested in France in May 2020 after 25 years on the run and has been detained in The Hague since October 2020.
However, the trial has been delayed due to a motion filed by Kabuga's associates, whose bank accounts were frozen on suspicion that they could aid him in avoiding arrest. The associates sought access to their funds, which has led to a delay in the trial.
IRMCT Prosecutor Serge Brammertz updated the Security Council on December 13, stating that his team had filed its pre-trial brief and responded to significant additional litigation initiated by Kabuga's family members and associated third parties concerning seized assets.
"My office is ready for and looks forward to the commencement of this trial at the Arusha branch when ordered by the Trial Chamber," Brammertz said.
Rwanda, however, has taken issue with the delay, stating that it is unjustifiable and that the extended pretrial phases not only delay justice for the victims and survivors of the genocide but also jeopardize the core judicial mandate of IRMCT.
"The priority of the government of Rwanda and the priority of justice is and should be that the trial should start," said Rwanda's ambassador to the UN, Valentine Rugwabiza.
Rugwabiza also protested the failure of other countries to apprehend fugitives indicted for genocide, specifically mentioning South Africa and Zimbabwe for non-cooperation and failing to adhere to international obligations.
