Étienne Davignon, a former European commissioner and prominent Belgian diplomat, died at the age of 93 before he could stand trial for alleged war crimes related to the 1961 assassination of Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba, according to the Jacques Delors Institute thinktank.

Charged in One of the 20th Century’s Most Consequential Political Killings

In March, a Belgian court ordered Davignon to stand trial for his alleged role in the extra-judicial killing of Lumumba, which occurred 65 years ago, but the decision marked a final attempt to shed light on one of the most significant political assassinations of the 20th century.

Lumumba was elected as the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo following its independence from Belgium in 1960 — However, he was ousted from power just months later and was killed by Belgian-backed secessionist rebels on 16 January 1961.

Belgian Diplomat Accused of Depriving Lumumba of Fair Trial

Prosecutors alleged that Davignon. Who was a junior diplomat at the time, played a role in the unlawful detention and transfer of Lumumba, depriving him of the right to an impartial trial. Davignon was also accused of involvement in the murders of two of Lumumba’s political allies, Maurice Mpolo and Joseph Okito.

Davignon denied any wrongdoing and was awaiting the outcome of an appeal against the court’s decision to order him to stand trial at the time of his death. The court’s ruling had been welcomed by the Lumumba family, who stated: “For our family, this is not the end of a long fight, it is the beginning of a reckoning that history has long demanded.”

Last Living Person Targeted by Belgian Investigation

Davignon was the last person still alive to be targeted by the Belgian investigation into the assassination. The court ruled that cases against other suspects would not remain open due to their deaths.

Following his assignment in Congo, Davignon became a leading figure in the Belgian establishment, serving as the cabinet chief to Prime Minister Paul-Henri Spaak in the late 1960s and as a European commissioner from 1977 to 1985. He also held board positions for several Belgian and foreign companies.

Originally born a viscount, Davignon was elevated to the rank of count by King Philippe in 2018.