The UN court has decided that Félicien Kabuga, a Rwandan businessman accused of playing a key role in the 1994 genocide, is mentally unfit to stand trial.

The court based its ruling on medical records and reports from his caregivers, which indicate a significant decline in his cognitive abilities and self-care skills.

The court said that Kabuga, who is 88 years old according to official documents but claims to be 90, is no longer capable of meaningful participation in his trial and is very unlikely to regain fitness in the future. Kabuga was arrested in Paris in May 2020 after being on the run for 26 years, using a false identity and moving around East Africa.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of genocide and crimes against humanity at his first appearance before the court in November 2020.

He is alleged to have used his wealth from the tea trade to finance and arm the Hutu militias that killed about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in 100 days. He is also accused of using his radio station to incite hatred and violence against the Tutsi minority.

The court suggested that an alternative procedure should be adopted that resembles a trial as closely as possible, but without the possibility of a conviction.