Dr. Jean-Claude Niyonzima on trial for supervising six murders in Rwanda

Dr. Jean‑Claude Niyonzima, a former physician at a Kigali hospital, was charged on Tuesday with supervising six murders during the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including the stoning to death of a taxi driver and the killing of a mother and her infant. The case was heard before a Rwandan criminal court in the capital, where prosecutors say the doctor coordinated the attacks from his clinic and directed armed men to carry them out.

The trial comes as Rwanda marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide that claimed an estimated 800,000 lives. International and domestic courts have long pursued former officials who used their positions to facilitate mass killings. While many high‑profile perpetrators have already been convicted, the involvement of medical staff remains a painful reminder that the violence permeated even health institutions. Human rights groups have urged authorities to hold all participants accountable, arguing that doctors who betray their oath undermine post‑war reconciliation.

Prosecutors presented testimony from survivors who identified Niyonzima as the man who ordered the killings and supplied the weapons. A former security guard testified that the doctor used his clinic’s back room as a planning site. The defence argued that the accusations rely on hearsay and that Niyonzima was merely treating victims of the conflict. Victims’ families, many of whom have waited decades for justice, expressed relief at the court’s willingness to confront the case, but warned that a fair trial is essential to avoid reopening old wounds.

If convicted, Niyonzima faces up to life imprisonment under Rwanda’s genocide law. The court is expected to deliver a verdict within six months, after which the government plans to use the outcome to reinforce its broader effort to document all forms of participation in the genocide. Observers say the trial could set a precedent for prosecuting professionals who abused their authority, sending a clear message that no role is exempt from accountability.