Ohio man concealed role in 1994 Rwanda genocide to enter US, arrested after years on the run: DOJ

Vincent Nzigiyimfura, a 65-year-old Ohio man, was recently arrested for allegedly lying on his US immigration papers to conceal his involvement in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The Department of Justice indicted Nzigiyimfura on one count of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud following an investigation into his past.

According to officials, Nzigiyimfura played a significant role in the mass killings of Tutsis during the genocide while working as a businessman and butcher in Rwanda. He allegedly directed and organized the killings, providing weapons and transportation to Hutus to carry out the atrocities. Nzigiyimfura is accused of setting up roadblocks to trap fleeing Tutsis and deceiving those in hiding to lure them out and ultimately kill them.

After the Rwandan Patriotic Front took control of the country and ended the genocide, Nzigiyimfura fled to Malawi. In 2009, he entered the US after falsifying documents to portray himself as a victim of the genocide. Despite being warned of potential criminal prosecution for lying on his application, Nzigiyimfura continued to deceive immigration officials and even applied for US citizenship in 2014.

Although he was not granted citizenship, Nzigiyimfura renewed his green card in 2018 and obtained an Ohio driver’s license using fraudulent means. His case was investigated by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center.

Acting ICE Homeland Security Investigations Detroit Special Agent in Charge Jared Murphey emphasized the importance of holding individuals like Nzigiyimfura accountable for their actions and ensuring justice for the victims of genocide. If convicted, Nzigiyimfura could face up to 30 years in federal prison for his alleged crimes.

The arrest of Nzigiyimfura serves as a reminder that the United States will not tolerate human rights violators seeking refuge within its borders. The pursuit of justice for the victims of genocide remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies, and individuals like Nzigiyimfura will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.