Most Wished Rwandan Genocide Suspect Apprehended In South Africa After Many years On The Run

Fulgence Kayishema

Fulgence Kayishema, essentially the most wished fugitive accused of his involvement within the planning and execution of the 1994 Rwandan genocide which claimed many lives, has been arrested in Paarl, South Africa after greater than 20 years on the run, South African authorities have introduced.

He was caught on Wednesday, Might 24 in a joint operation between South African authorities and a UN group charged with discovering the remaining fugitives, in line with a press release.

When he was arrested, Kayishema initially denied his identification, investigators mentioned. However by Wednesday night time, he informed them: “I’ve been ready a very long time to be arrested.”

Kayishema allegedly orchestrated the killing of greater than 2,000 Tutsi refugees – girls, males, kids and the aged – at Nyange Catholic Church in the course of the genocide. He has been on the run since 2001.

Investigators mentioned he used a number of identities and solid paperwork to evade detection.

“The arrest was the fruits of an intense, thorough and rigorous investigation,” a senior official on the prosecutor’s workplace mentioned.

“Members of the family and identified associates had been exhaustively investigated. That finally led to figuring out the proper location to look and discovering the important intelligence that was wanted.”

“Fulgence Kayishema was a fugitive for greater than 20 years. His arrest ensures that he’ll lastly face justice for his alleged crimes,” mentioned Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz of the United Nations’ Worldwide Residual Mechanism for Prison Tribunals (IRMCT).

“Genocide is essentially the most critical crime identified to humankind. The worldwide neighborhood has dedicated to make sure that its perpetrators might be prosecuted and punished. This arrest is a tangible demonstration that this dedication doesn’t fade and that justice might be achieved, regardless of how lengthy it takes,” Brammertz mentioned.

The occasions in Nyanga, Rwanda, had been one of the vital brutal of the genocide, by which an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and reasonable Hutus had been killed over the interval of 90 days.

The tribunal alleges that Kayishema immediately participated within the “planning and execution of this bloodbath.” The indictment says he purchased and distributed petrol to burn down the church whereas refugees had been inside. Kayishema and others are additionally accused of utilizing a bulldozer to break down the church following the fireplace, whereas refugees had been nonetheless inside.

A reward of as much as $5,000,000 was provided by the US Struggle Crimes Rewards Program for data on Kayishema and the opposite fugitives wished for perpetrating the Rwandan genocide.

Kayishema is because of be arraigned on Friday in a Cape City courtroom.