The Paris Assize Court has begun hearing the appeal of Rwandan doctor Dr. Eugène Rwamucyo, who was previously sentenced to 27 years in prison after being convicted of crimes against humanity and involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The appeal hearing opened on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Paris.
According to lawyer Richard Gisagara, who represents civil parties in the case, the first day of proceedings was largely procedural, focusing on the composition of the jury and the formal organization of the trial.
Nine jurors were selected to sit alongside professional judges, with six additional alternates appointed to step in should any juror be unable to continue during the hearings.
Following the jury selection, the court proceeded to the registration of civil parties seeking compensation for harm linked to the alleged crimes. All plaintiffs and their legal representatives appeared before the court, confirmed their identities, and were formally admitted to the proceedings.
The court also examined the list of witnesses and expert witnesses, confirming that all those summoned had been duly notified and are expected to appear during the trial.
A detailed schedule for the appeal proceedings was then established, including timelines for witness testimonies and other key phases of the case.
During the session, six defence lawyers for Dr. Rwamucyo submitted preliminary motions requesting the exclusion of certain pieces of evidence, arguing that they were unlawfully obtained and that procedural rules had not been properly followed.
However, the court rejected the requests, stating that such motions could not be addressed at the opening stage and would be considered as the trial progresses.
The presiding judge also presented a summary of the case file to the jurors, who had no prior access to the dossier, to ensure they are properly briefed ahead of substantive hearings.
Only one witness testified on the first day, with additional testimonies expected as the appeal hearing continues in the coming days.
