In Paris, the appeal trial of Claude Muhayimana, a Franco-Rwandan accused of participating in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, has begun to present closing arguments. The trial is crucial as Muhayimana was initially sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2021 but released a year later on appeal. Experts testified during the trial that Muhayimana is of sound mind, countering the defense's claim that he acted under duress, a pivotal aspect that influences the credibility of the civil parties’ argument against him.

Muhayimana has been charged with transporting Hutu killers to sites of mass killings during the genocide, and his defense team has been emphasizing the lack of concrete evidence linking him to these accusations. Additionally, the defense has raised questions about the fairness of holding one individual responsible for the collective violence perpetrated during the genocide, suggestive of systemic issues rather than individual culpability. This line of defense reflects ongoing debates regarding justice and accountability in cases involving genocide and mass violence.

Furthermore, Muhayimana has claimed that he is being scapegoated by Rwandan authorities due to his refusal to testify against French troops who were present in Rwanda at the time of the genocide. This assertion has broadened the trial's implications, as it touches on complex international relations and calls into question the involvement of foreign actors in the events surrounding the genocide. The outcome of this appeal may have significant repercussions in the discourse on justice for genocide and the responsibility of nations involved in such crises.