Author to go on trial in France for downplaying Rwanda genocide

French-Cameroonian writer Charles Onana is set to face trial in Paris, accused of complicity in contesting the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

In a book published five years ago, Onana described the claim that the Hutu government planned the genocide as a "scam."

His lawyer argues that Onana does not deny the genocide, but rather seeks to understand its mechanisms.

This is the second trial in France for denying the Rwandan genocide, as French law prohibits denying or minimizing recognized genocides.

The trial will focus on case law related to Holocaust denial.