Genocide Suspect from Rwanda Confronts 54 Charges in South Africa: Fraud and Immigration

Mouad Boudina
Mouad Boudina
2 Min Read
South

On Friday, South African prosecutors made substantial additions to the range of charges being brought against Fulgence Kayishema, a former Rwandan police officer sought internationally for his alleged involvement in the notorious Rwandan genocide of 1994.

After evading capture for a period spanning two decades, Fulgence Kayishema was apprehended on May 24th while operating under an assumed identity on a grape farm in South Africa. The arrest came about as a result of refugees employed at the farm who, according to a prosecutor, provided crucial information leading to his location and subsequent apprehension.

According to Eric Ntabazalila, the spokesperson for the prosecutors, Fulgence Kayishema currently confronts a total of 54 distinct charges in South Africa about fraud and immigration violations. This figure represents a significant escalation from the previous count of five charges. Ntabazalila made these remarks outside a court in Cape Town.

Since 2001, Fulgence Kayishema had been a fugitive, eluding justice after the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) issued an indictment against him for his alleged involvement in the genocide. Specifically, he stands accused of issuing orders for the massacre of approximately 2,000 individuals who sought refuge inside the Nyange Catholic Church.

During a court hearing on May 26th, Fulgence Kayishema vehemently denied any involvement in the crimes attributed to him. However, he expressed remorse, stating that he was “sorry” for the killings that occurred during the tragic events of 1994.

The genocide in Rwanda, which took place in 1994, resulted in the tragic loss of approximately 800,000 lives. The victims were predominantly ethnic Tutsis and Hutu moderates. Orchestrated by an extremist Hutu regime, the genocide was meticulously carried out by local officials and ordinary citizens within the deeply hierarchical structure of Rwandan society. This catastrophic event left a profound impact on the nation and the international community.

Mouad Boudina

Share this Article
Leave a comment