Belgian diplomat, tried in the case of the assassination of Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba in 1961

The Belgian justice system has decided to put Count Etienne Davignon, a former diplomat and vice-president of the European Commission, on trial for 'participation in war crimes' in the case of the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This is the first criminal trial related to the assassination of the Congolese leader, which took place in 1961, in the context of the Cold War.

Lumumba was ousted from power in a coup and executed with the complicity of Belgian officers and CIA agents. Macabre details of the crime only emerged decades later, and Belgium has acknowledged moral responsibility.

Davignon, at the age of 93, is the only survivor among the 11 Belgians mentioned in the complaint filed by Lumumba's children. His defense argues that the statute of limitations has expired, but Lumumba's family believes that justice must be served for this 'state crime'.