Belgian court clears way for trial over 1961 killing of Congo PM Lumumba [View all]

Source: BBC

A Belgian court has ruled that a former diplomat can stand trial in connection with the killing in 1961 of Patrice Lumumba, Congo's first prime minister.

Etienne Davignon, now 93, is accused of involvement in the unlawful detention and transfer of Lumumba and of his degrading treatment. Davignon was a trainee diplomat at the time and went on to become a vice-president of the European Commission.

He is the only surviving member of the 10 Belgians accused in a criminal case brought by Lumumba's family in 2011.

The independence hero was executed by a firing squad and his body was dissolved in acid.

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czd899vn6e9o