U.S. Authorities Accused a New York Resident of Concealing His Participation in the Rwandan Genocide to Obtain American Citizenship
A Gardener on Long Island Accused of Hiding His Role in the Rwandan Genocide
Meet Faustin Nsabumukunzi, a man from Bridgehampton who's been living on Long Island for over two decades, known for his beekeeping and gardening skills. However, his peaceful life took a drastic turn this week, as federal authorities accuse him of concealing his leadership role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide in his green card and U.S. citizenship applications.
To put it into perspective, Nsabumukunzi was a local leader in Rwanda during the three-month-long genocide that claimed the lives of around 800,000 Tutsis. Now, Nsabumukunzi stands charged with visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud[1]. In an email, his lawyer described him as a "victim of the Rwandan genocide" who lost numerous family members and friends[2].
According to prosecutors, Nsabumukunzi deceived Tutsis at public meetings during the genocide's onset, assuring them they would be protected[2]. However, behind closed doors, he allegedly urged Hutus to start the killings of Tutsis[2]. Witnesses also claimed that he participated in the killing of Tutsis, including in his administrative offices, and encouraged Hutu men to rape Tutsi women as a genocidal tool[2].
During his initial court appearance, Nsabumukunzi pleaded not guilty and was released on $250,000 bail, which requires home detention and GPS monitoring[2]. He will still be allowed to continue working as a gardener.
Interestingly, Nsabumukunzi was convicted in absentia by a Rwandan court on genocide charges and was sentenced to life in prison[3]. He was accused of using his leadership position to oversee the killings of Tutsis in his local area. Furthermore, he allegedly set up roadblocks during the genocide to detain and kill Tutsis[3].
Intriguingly, Nsabumukunzi applied for refugee resettlement in the U.S. in 2003, denying any involvement in the genocide. He received his green card in 2007 and applied for citizenship in 2009 and 2015, maintaining the same falsehood[3]. According to authorities, the Justice Department's head of the Criminal Division, Matthew R. Galeotti, stated that Nsabumukunzi participated in "heinous acts of violence abroad and then lied his way into a green card and tried to obtain U.S. citizenship."
In conclusion, the allegations against Faustin Nsabumukunzi involve his failure to disclose his involvement in the Rwandan genocide, a horrific event in history that lasted for three months and resulted in the deaths of over 800,000 people. As the details of this case unfold, it seems evident that justice is being sought for the victims of those dark days.
- Faustin Nsabumukunzi, the beekeeper and gardener from Long Island, pleaded not guilty to charges of concealing his leadership role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide during his initial court appearance.
- Despite his peaceful life in Rwanda, Nsabumukunzi is now standing trial for visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud related to the genocide.
- In the past, Nsabumukunzi was accused in a Rwandan court and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the genocide, where he oversaw killings in his local area and set up roadblocks to detain and kill Tutsis.
- Nsabumukunzi has a long history of denying his involvement in the genocide, with authorities stating that he lied on his applications for refugee resettlement, green card, and citizenship.
- As the politics of war-and-conflicts, policy-and-legislation, crime-and-justice, general-news continues to unfold, the case of Faustin Nsabumukunzi sheds light on the ongoing pursuit of justice for victims of the Rwandan genocide.
