Belgium continues investigations into killing first democratic prime minister of Congo 60 years after assassination

Belgium's Federal Prosecutor, Frederick Van Leew said Wednesday that “are in the process of examining the indictment. The facts have qualified as war crimes, which have also been confirmed by the Court of Appeals in Brussels. That means there will be no statute of restrictions on crime. ”

Belgian authorities have announced the launch of an investigation into the 1961 murder since 2012, following a request made by Lumumba's family, reports The Guardian, Periscopi.

Van Leew told Belgian media that the investigation would remain open.

There are two people still alive. It is symbolically important that the justice system handle this case. ”

Lumumba had become the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, days after his country gained independence from Belgium on June 30th 1960.

He had indignantd Belgian leaders with a speech at the independence day ceremony, citing “irons, insults and shocks” that the Congoese had suffered “Morning, day and night” during Belgium's colonial regime.

Lumumba had been killed by a firing squad in January 1961 in Katanga by the Congolese rebels with Belgian officers present. He was only 35 years old.

For his murder the government of Belgium was involved, CIA and MI6. /Periscope