The Digester

A Brussels court ruled that former diplomat Étienne Davignon should face trial over alleged complicity in the 1961 murder of Congo's first prime minister Patrice Lumumba, a decision the Lumumba family hailed as a historic step and which can still be appealed.

Étienne Davignon, 93, was ordered to stand trial on charges of participation in war crimes linked to the 1961 assassination of Patrice Lumumba.
The charges include the alleged illegal transfer of Lumumba to Katanga, humiliating and degrading treatment, and depriving him of a fair trial.
The court broadened the case to cover Lumumba's associates Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito, who were killed alongside him.
Davignon is the only surviving Belgian among 10 the Lumumba family accuses and has denied the allegations; the decision can be appealed.
If appeals fail, lawyers say a trial could start in January 2027 and would be the first criminal case against a Belgian official over the assassination.

Brussels court orders trial for 93-year-old ex-diplomat over Patrice Lumumba killing

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