French Court Upholds Life Sentence for Ex-Rwandan Gendarme in Genocide Case

Philippe Manier, convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity, loses appeal in Paris after being found guilty of pivotal role in 1994 Rwandan atrocities.

Philippe Manier, formerly known as Philippe Hategekimana, was convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity for his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which left over 800,000 people dead, primarily Tutsis.
The Paris Court of Appeal upheld Manier's life sentence after six and a half weeks of proceedings, reaffirming nearly all charges against him, including organizing massacres and erecting roadblocks to target Tutsis.
Manier, a naturalized French citizen since 2005, was accused of ordering and participating in multiple massacres, including those at Nyabubare, Nyamure, and the Institute of Agronomic Sciences, where thousands were killed.
The court described Manier as a 'zealous arm of the genocide,' with actions that significantly escalated the violence; he has consistently denied involvement and plans to appeal to the French Court of Cassation.
Victims' advocacy groups, such as the CPCR and Ibuka, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, highlighting its importance in delivering justice and acknowledging the genocide's enduring impact on humanity.