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Bridgehampton, NY – April 25, 2025 – Faustin Nsabumukunzi, an alleged leader in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, was arrested Thursday at his residence in the affluent Hamptons community of Bridgehampton. He now faces serious federal charges for visa fraud and attempted naturalization fraud after allegedly concealing his role in mass atrocities during his immigration process to the United States.

Nsabumukunzi, who had been living as a beekeeper and gardener for a private equity entrepreneur on Long Island, pleaded not guilty in federal court in Islip. He was released on $250,000 bond with home detention and GPS monitoring.

Federal prosecutors revealed that Nsabumukunzi, who held the position of Sector Councilor in Kibirizi, Rwanda, orchestrated and oversaw attacks against Tutsis during the genocide, including killings, roadblock ambushes, and acts of sexual violence. Between April and July 1994, an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were murdered.

According to the Justice Department, Nsabumukunzi entered the U.S. in 2003 through the refugee resettlement program by falsely denying any involvement in genocide. He later obtained a green card in 2007 and applied for U.S. citizenship twice, in 2009 and 2015, allegedly repeating the same falsehoods under oath.

A Rwandan court previously convicted Nsabumukunzi of genocide in absentia. The Justice Department emphasized that his arrest is the result of years of investigation to bring accountability to individuals who committed crimes against humanity yet managed to live freely under assumed identities.

If convicted, Nsabumukunzi could face up to 30 years in prison. The case serves as a reminder of the enduring pursuit of justice in the aftermath of one of the 20th century’s most devastating genocides.