Nyanza, Rwanda — François Gasana, a 54-year-old Rwandan genocide suspect who was extradited from Norway in 2025 after years of legal proceedings, is now standing trial before Rwanda’s specialized chamber for international and cross-border crimes in Nyanza.
Gasana, who previously lived in Norway under the alias Franky Dusabe, was born in Gitabage Cell, Ndaro Sector, Ngororero District in Rwanda’s Western Province. During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, he was a student at Save Secondary School .
Trial Proceedings and Case Management
On March 12, 2026, during a pre-trial hearing, Gasana’s defense requested that the case file from his proceedings in Norway be brought forward before he enters his defense. The Norwegian case file contains details of the charges against him related to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, though Gasana maintains his innocence.
When the case file was expected to be presented in late August, Gasana confirmed his intention to enter a defense. The court subsequently scheduled the trial to continue in September 2026.
At the most recent hearing on September 16, 2026, the prosecution informed the court that they had received Gasana’s Norwegian case file but that it contained extensive video footage and numerous documents, making it difficult to upload the entire file into the court’s digital system.
“Our technology team informed us that not everything can go into the system,” a prosecution representative stated.
Defense counsel Me Kazeneza Théophile told the court that they had requested the prosecution provide the complete file so they could select the relevant portions to be entered into the system.
The court ruled that the prosecution should provide the file and be responsible for entering the selected materials into the system connecting the parties.
Charges Against Gasana
Gasana faces two charges: genocide and incitement to commit genocide.
During the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, he was a secondary school student. The prosecution alleges that Gasana made statements aimed at exterminating Tutsi, drawing a parallel to the case of Dr. Léon Mugesera.
“The speech Dr. Léon Mugesera delivered at Kabaya, which resulted in his conviction for incitement to commit genocide, is the same basis on which we request Gasana be convicted, as he also made harmful statements,” the prosecution argued.
Background and Extradition
Gasana had previously sought to avoid extradition to Rwanda, filing appeals in Norwegian courts. However, those efforts failed, and Norwegian authorities ordered his transfer to Rwanda, where he is now detained at Nyanza Prison.
He was arrested in Oslo in October 2022 following an extensive investigation by the Norwegian Criminal Investigation Service . In 2007, Rwanda’s Nyange Gacaca court had convicted Gasana in absentia and sentenced him to 19 years in prison for his role in the genocide.
Norway’s Oslo District Court ruled in September 2023 that the conditions for extradition had been met. Gasana appealed, but in April 2024, the appellate court upheld the ruling. A further appeal to the Supreme Court in June 2024 was also rejected . Norway’s Justice Ministry finalized the extradition decision in February 2025, citing its obligations under the United Nations Genocide Convention .
Gasana arrived at Kigali International Airport on August 8, 2025, where he was handed over to officials from Rwanda’s National Public Prosecution Authority .
The extradition was welcomed by genocide survivor organizations. Ahishakiye Naphtal, executive secretary of Ibuka, said Gasana was a young man who “due to the genocide ideology he had been fed on… committed such heinous crimes” .
Gasana’s trial continues in Nyanza. Under Rwandan law, Gacaca rulings are declared null upon a suspect’s return, and a new trial begins afresh .
