Pierre Basabose
Context
Ongoing proceedings against three suspects of international crimes committed during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda
Type of jurisdiction
Universal Jurisdiction
Suspects
Pierre Basabose, a businessman close to the Rwandan government.
Country of residence of suspects
Belgium
Charges
Genocide and war crimes
Current status
Awaiting trial; under judicial surveillance
Facts
Basabose is a retired member of the Rwandan army who ran a foreign exchange office with the support of the presidential family. In 1993, he became the second largest shareholder in the infamous Radio- Television Libre des Mille Collines, which was known for its calls for ethnic hatred before and during the genocide. He is suspected of having financed genocidal propaganda. He allegedly distributed money and weapons to the Interahamwe militia (the youth organization of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development) in Gatenga and Gikondo and encouraged them to kill Tutsis.
Procedure
Pierre Basabose was charged with genocide and war crimes while the investigation was ongoing. He waw arrested on 30 September 2020. He was released under investigation in May 2021.
Developments in 2022
On 19 September 2022, Basabose was sent to trial on genocide and war crimes charges. No date has been set yet for the opening of their trial.
Global 
