[Will Félicien Kabuga soon be free?](title)
The appeals chamber of the United Nations mechanism responsible for trying the Rwandan businessman ordered, Monday August 7, the “indefinite” suspension of the proceedings and asked the judges of first instance to review his pre-trial detention. Accused of genocide and crimes against humanity, Félicien Kabuga was arrested in the Paris suburbs in May 2020.
In a surprising decision, the appeals chamber of the United Nations mechanism charged with trying Félicien Kabuga ordered the indefinite suspension of the proceedings and asked trial judges to review his pre-trial detention. This decision paves the way for possible parole for the Rwandan businessman accused of genocide and crimes against humanity.
Since his arrest in the Paris suburbs in May 2020, Félicien Kabuga has been detained in Scheveningen prison, in the Netherlands, where he spent more than three years behind bars. This decision to indefinitely suspend proceedings means that Kabuga will not be released immediately, but that a thorough review of his pre-trial detention will be necessary.
The question of Félicien Kabuga’s health was also raised, as the businessman aged at least 88 (he claims to be 90) suffers from severe dementia. The judges consider that he is unfit to stand trial in this state and have therefore decided to suspend the proceedings pending a more in-depth assessment of his condition.
It is interesting to note that this decision to indefinitely suspend the procedure does not completely close Félicien Kabuga’s case. Although he will not be released immediately, he remains under the authority of the court and trial judges will now have to decide whether he is eligible for parole.
It is also important to point out that some of Félicien Kabuga’s children are in France, the United Kingdom and Belgium, which could influence the judges’ decision as to his destination in the event of parole. These countries will have the obligation to cooperate and take charge of Kabuga.
The suspension