Brussels - Séraphin Rwabukumba, a brother-in-law of former Rwandan President, Juvenal Habyarimana, has been denied Belgium nationality by the Court of Appeal in Brussels. According to an official statement, investigations conducted by the Belgian intelligence services, Belgian judicial service, and the prosecution in Brussels, Rwabukumba is suspected to have participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rwabukumba, was a member of Habyarimana’s inner circle, “Akazu”, that comprised influential military, political, and business personalities who were regarded as the masterminds of the Genocide. If indicted, Rwabukumba will be tried in Belgium in accordance with universal competence law which allows courts to try such cases in Belgium. In the past, four Rwandans - two catholic nuns and two civilians from Butare, were prosecuted for their participation in the Genocide, and were given heavy sentences by the criminal court of Brussels. Rwabukumba left for Belgium shortly after the Genocide, and acquired a residence permit. According to sources, he is now a car dealer, shipping vehicles to Madagascar. Ends
