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Belgian Diplomat Ordered to Stand Trial
Étienne Davignon, 93, is a former Belgian diplomat. A court ordered him to stand trial for murder.
The victim was Patrice Lumumba, Congo's first prime minister. Lumumba was killed in 1961.
Others accused have since died. Davignon is the only surviving accused.
He is the first to stand trial. He is also charged with war crimes. The Lumumba family called this the beginning of justice.
Klear Note — Patrice Lumumba led Congo after it became independent from Belgium in 1960. His death in 1961 remains controversial; many believe Belgian officials and the CIA helped cause it.
Key Terms 3
- Étienne Davignon
- 93-year-old former Belgian diplomat now facing murder trial
- Patrice Lumumba
- Congo's first prime minister, killed in 1961
- war crimes
- serious crimes committed during conflict, banned by international law