An alleged leader of the Rwandan genocide in 1994 has been found living a chilled life in an exclusive enclave on Long Island as a beekeeper.
Faustin Nsabumukunzi was arrested on Thursday and accused of concealing his role in horrific violence and human rights violations by making false statements in his applications for a visa, green card and for US citizenship, according to the Justice Department.
Nsabumukunzi has lived and worked in the United States since 2003.
According to officials, Nsabumukunzi served as a local leader with the title of “Sector Councillor” in Rwanda in 1994 when the genocide began. Between April 1994 and July 1994, members of the majority Hutu population persecuted the minority Tutsis, committing acts of violence, including murder, rape and sexual violence.
During the three-month genocide, an estimated 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus died. According to court filings, Nsabumukunzi has already been convicted of genocide in absentia by a Rwandan court.
Faustin Nsabumukunzi is charged with visa fraud and attempted naturalisation fraud for allegedly lying on his application for a green card and for U.S. citizenship.
“As alleged, Nsabumukunzi repeatedly lied to conceal his involvement in the horrific Rwandan genocide while seeking to become a lawful permanent resident and citizen of the United States,” said United States Attorney John Durham.
“For over two decades, he got away with those lies and lived in the United States with an undeserved clean slate, a luxury that his victims will never have.”
Nsabumukunzi was arrested at his home in Bridgehampton and pleaded not guilty Thursday in Islip federal court. He was released on a $250,000 bond with home detention and GPS monitoring and will be allowed to keep working as a gardener for a private equity entrepreneur on Long Island who signed his bond.
If convicted, Nsabumukunzi faces a maximum of 30 years in prison.
