Séraphin Twahirwa
Context
Ongoing proceedings against one suspect of international crimes committed during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda
Type of jurisdiction
Universal Jurisdiction
Suspects
Séraphin Twahirwa, Rwandan national, alleged leader of an Interahamwe militia
Country of residence of suspect
Belgium
Charges
Genocide and war crimes
Current status
Indicted; under investigation (Ndangali) and awaiting trial (Basabose and Twahirwa); under judicial surveillance
Facts
Twahirwa is a relative of the former presidential family. He allegedly led an Interahamwe militia responsible for massacres of Tutsis in a central region of Rwanda.
Procedure
Twahirwa was charged with genocide and war crimes while the investigation was ongoing. He was arrested on 30 September 2020. Twahirwa benefits from an alternative measure to imprisonment and is under judicial surveillance through the use of an electronic bracelet.
DEVELOPMENTS IN 2022
The investigation of Twahirwa was severed from other suspects’ investigation. On 19 September 2022, Twahirwa was sent to trial on genocide and war crimes charges. No date has been set yet for the opening of his trial.
