The United Nations appeal judges have issued a directive that Rwandan genocide suspect Félicien Kabuga be promptly evaluated for potential release, and concurrently, the war crimes trial against him be indefinitely halted.

In a previous ruling in June, judges from a UN war crimes court had determined that Mr. Kabuga's dementia rendered him unfit to stand trial. Nonetheless, they recommended that alternative proceedings be explored.

Presently, these alternative suggestions have been dismissed by the appeal judges.

The judges assert that the UN war crimes tribunal erred in June by deciding that despite his health condition, Mr. Kabuga should undergo an alternative simplified trial process. Consequently, a lower trial chamber has been tasked with overseeing efforts towards his release.

Félicien Kabuga, a businessman and owner of a radio station, who is now in his late 80s, was among the final suspects sought by the tribunal responsible for prosecuting crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

He stands accused of disseminating hatred through his radio station and inciting the perpetrators who were responsible for the deaths of over 800,000 individuals in a mere 100 days.

Having been apprehended in Paris in 2020, following a two-decade-long evasion, Mr. Kabuga pleaded not guilty.

The court acknowledges that this recent ruling might bring disappointment to the victims and survivors of the genocide. However, it underscores that justice must be administered with unwavering adherence to the rights of the accused.