A Rwandan doctor named Eugene Rwamucyo, who is being accused of being involved in the 1994 Tutsi genocide, arrived at the Paris Assize Court on October 1. This event was captured by AFP.

On Monday, French prosecutors requested a 30-year prison sentence for a former doctor who is currently on trial in Paris for his alleged participation in the Rwandan genocide that occurred three decades ago. Eugene Rwamucyo, aged 65, is the latest individual accused of participating in the 1994 massacre of Rwanda's Tutsi population by the Hutu majority to be brought to justice in France. He is charged with aiding the authorities of his country at the time to spread anti-Tutsi propaganda and with participating in mass murder to destroy evidence of the genocide.

According to the United Nations, more than 800,000 people, primarily members of the Tutsi minority, were killed during the genocide that took place between April and July 1994. Both public prosecutors requested the court to find Rwamucyo guilty of genocide, complicity in genocide, and complicity in crimes against humanity, as well as conspiracy to prepare these crimes. "We ask you not to allow Eugene Rwamucyo to escape his responsibilities," stated prosecutor Nicolas Peron at the conclusion of the nearly seven-hour-long closing arguments.

However, Peron called for Rwamucyo to be acquitted on the charge of crimes against humanity, acknowledging that "there does not appear... that there is any evidence to show that Mr Rwamucyo himself committed summary executions, acts of torture, or other inhuman acts." Rwamucyo, who grew up in a Hutu family, was approached by anti-Tutsi militants in the late 1980s after his return from studying in Russia, according to prosecutors, who accuse him of spreading anti-Tutsi propaganda. His lawyers, Meilhac and Francoise Mathe, claim that Rwamucyo denies any wrongdoing and argues that the accusation is based on his opposition to the current Rwandan government.

After leaving Rwanda, Rwamucyo practiced medicine in Belgium and France. Following an international arrest warrant issued by Rwanda, Rwamucyo was detained in May 2010 by French police after a tip-off from his colleagues at the Maubeuge hospital in northern France, where he was working at the time. Approximately 60 witnesses were expected to testify during the trial. The verdict is anticipated on Wednesday.

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