A man from Bridgehampton has been indicted for visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud, accused of hiding his role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide while applying for a green card and U.S. citizenship. The defendant, Faustin Nsabumukunzi, 65, was arrested on Long Island and is expected to appear in court before United States District Judge Joanna Seybert.
The charges were announced by John J. Durham, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Darren B. McCormack, acting special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations, New York.
"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 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, but thanks to the tenacious efforts of our investigators and prosecutors, the defendant finally will be held accountable for his brutal actions."
Durham appreciated the work of several U.S. agencies in the case, including the Interagency Human Rights Violators & War Crimes Center and the Department of Homeland Security.
"’As alleged, the defendant participated in the commission of heinous acts of violence abroad and then lied his way into a green card and tried to obtain U.S. citizenship," stated Matthew R. Galeotti, "No matter how much time has passed, the Department of Justice will find and prosecute individuals who committed atrocities in their home countries and covered them up to gain entry and seek citizenship in the United States."
Darren B. McCormack commented, "This defendant has been living in the United States for decades, hiding his alleged horrific conduct, human rights violations, and his role in these senseless atrocities against innocent Tutsis. The depraved conduct of which the defendant is accused represents the worst of humanity. As demonstrated through the tireless work of HSI New York agents, analysts, and task force officers, we will never tolerate the safe-harboring of individuals linked to such unimaginable crimes."
Court filings claim that Nsabumukunzi was a "Sector Councilor" during the Rwandan genocide. The indictment alleges that he ordered and facilitated acts of violence, including setting roadblocks for Tutsi detainment and directing armed Hutus to execute Tutsis. It is also alleged that he encouraged the rape of Tutsi women. Nsabumukunzi was convicted of genocide in absentia by a Rwandan court.
Nsabumukunzi applied for refugee resettlement in the United States in 2003, received a green card in 2007, and later applied for naturalization. He allegedly lied in these applications to gain entry to and remain in the United States.
The charges are allegations currently, and Nsabumukunzi is considered innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, he faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. The prosecution involves Assistant United States Attorneys Samantha Alessi, Katherine P. Onyshko, and Paralegal Specialist Erin Payne, with Brian Morgan from the Human Rights and Special Prosecutions (HRSP) Section also supporting the case.