New York Man Indicted for Concealing Role in Rwandan Genocide

Faustin Nsabumukunzi, a 65-year-old man in New York, has been indicted for immigration fraud for hiding his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. He allegedly misled authorities on his green card and citizenship applications. Charged with crimes that could lead to a 30-year prison sentence, this case brings to light his past as a local leader during the genocide that resulted in the deaths of an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

A 65-year-old man residing in Bridgehampton, New York, has been indicted on charges of immigration fraud linked to his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, as reported by the Justice Department on Thursday. Faustin Nsabumukunzi reportedly concealed his history while applying for both a green card and U.S. citizenship, providing false information during the process.

In court documents, Nsabumukunzi is identified as having held the title of “Sector Counselor” in Rwanda during the genocide, a harrowing period when the majority Hutu population systematically targeted the minority Tutsis. According to the Justice Department, between April and July of that year, an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus lost their lives due to brutal acts of violence that included murder and rape.

The Justice Department indicated that Nsabumukunzi lived in the United States under these false pretenses for several decades, effectively evading legal scrutiny. “The depraved conduct of which the defendant is accused represents the worst of humanity,” remarked Darren B. McCormack, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations, New York.

Further allegations suggest that Nsabumukunzi utilized his leadership role to orchestrate violence, overseeing the killings of Tutsis. He allegedly directed armed Hutu groups to commit these atrocities and established roadblocks that served to detain and murder Tutsi individuals. Notably, he was previously convicted in absentia by a Rwandan court for his role in the genocide.

Nsabumukunzi’s path to the United States began in 2003 when he sought refugee resettlement. He obtained a green card in 2007 and subsequently applied for naturalization in both 2009 and 2015. If found guilty of the charges of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud, he could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in federal prison.

The indictment of Faustin Nsabumukunzi for immigration fraud underscores a disturbing case linked to the terrifying events of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. As allegations mount regarding his direct involvement in the atrocities, the potential consequences loom large. The Justice Department’s actions reflect a broader commitment to hold individuals accountable for their past crimes, particularly as it pertains to crimes of such magnitude.

Original Source: www.upi.com