Search

Advanced search

Gaëlle Ponselet

Belgium

Correspondent

Gaëlle Ponselet, a journalist who has been specializing on judicial news for some 10 years, covers a large number of trials taking place in Brussels, whether they be conflicts between companies at the commercial court, criminal cases in the criminal court or recent terrorist trials in Belgium. For her, attending trials is being at the source of information and the certainty of being able to hear both sides of the story.

The Hotel des Mille Collines in Rwanda

Witnesses defect from the Nkunduwimye trial

The Brussels Assize Court, which is currently trying Belgian-Rwandan Emmanuel Nkunduwimye for genocide, is facing a major defection of witnesses. The latest is Paul Rusesabagina, former manager of the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali in 1994, who has finally refused to appear. Around a third of witnesses called failed to turn up, including at […]

By Gaëlle Ponselet (our correspondent in Belgium)

On October 26, 1992, Interahamwe militiamen and extremist MRND militants flooded into Kigali's Nyamirambo district to demonstrate their support for the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR). The placard read:

At Belgian trial, two former Interahamwe leaders dodge testifying

Rwandan trial in Belgium - Emmanuel Nkunduwimye, the accused, drops defence of Georges Rutaganda, also accused of participating in the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994. Photo: 2 portraits side by side.

Nkunduwimye drops defence of his friend Rutaganda

Trial in Belgium of Emmanuel Nkunduwimye, accused of genocide in Rwanda. Photo: Nkunduwimye stares into the camera behind his discussing lawyers.

Belgian court to start new Rwandan genocide trial

Portrait of Vincent Lurquin: lawyer specialising in international justice (practising in Belgium), with a particular focus on the crimes committed in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide.

Vincent Lurquin: "having the humanity to defend someone accused of the worst crimes"

Rwandan Séraphin Twahirwa and his two lawyers, Vincent Lurquin and Juliette Lurquin, at his trial in Belgium. He is on trial for his alleged involvement in the genocide in Rwanda.

"What judicial truth without material evidence?"

Séraphin Twahirwa at his trial in Belgium for genocide in Rwanda.

"They were founders of a ruthless militia in Kigali"

Séraphin Twahirwa goes on trial in Belgium for his alleged role in the genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda in 1994.

"There was no roadblock, there wasn’t the space"

Pierre Basabosé - His trial for genocide (in Rwanda) is taking place in Belgium at the Brussels Assize Court.

Pierre Basabosé is "mentally absent” but will be tried

Colonization - Belgium - Congo

Belgian colonial past: "This issue will come back and demand to be tackled”

Belgian Colonial Past - Black and white photo in which King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola of Belgium are sitting on armchairs carried by Congolese in traditional dress.

Belgian colonial past: Commission fails on apology to victims

Archives of a file titled

Belgium's colonial past commission stalls

Banknote (dated 1920) of one Belgian Franc on which is written

Colonial crimes: Experts recommend that Belgium compensate

Several people are sitting in a waiting room with 5 women in the front row.

Congo métis: "Children of sin" confront the Belgian state

Vandalized statue of King Leopold II of Belgium

Commission on Belgium’s colonial past: expert mission ends

Commission on Belgium’s colonial past: “It’s important, but will it succeed?”

Belgium’s colonial past: ten experts to set the scene

Belgium wants to confront its colonial past

Liberia war crimes: Belgian investigators drag feet on Martina Johnson