A Rwandan beekeeper living in the United States has been arrested over his alleged involvement in the 1994 genocide in his country.
The suspect, Faustin Nsabumukunzi, was arrested on Thursday at his home in Bridgehampton, New York, where he had settled as a gardener and beekeeper in an exclusive enclave on Long Island, according to the local media.
Nsabumukunzi is accused of committing “heinous acts of violence abroad” when he served as a local leader at the start of genocide, the Justice Department said.
The 65-year-old suspect was also charged with visa fraud and attempted naturalisation fraud when he moved to the US in 2003. He pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on bail.
He is alleged to have set up roadblocks during the genocide to detain and kill Tutsis and to have participated in killings, prosecutors said, citing witnesses.
“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”.
“Nsabumukunzi used his leadership position to oversee the violence and killings of Tutsis in his local area and directed groups of armed Hutus to kill Tutsis,” the federal prosecutors said.
He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison in absentia by a Rwandan genocide court, according to U.S. legal papers.
He pleaded not guilty and was released on a bond of $250,000 (£188,000).
The bail package requires home detention and GPS monitoring, but he will be allowed to continue working as a gardener.
Nsabumukunzi faces a maximum of 30 years in prison, if convicted.
