Vincent Nzigiyimfura, a 65-year-old Rwandan immigrant, has been arrested in Dayton, Ohio, for allegedly concealing his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide on his U.S. immigration paperwork, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.
Known by some as the “Butcher of Nyanza,” Nzigiyimfura—who also goes by Vincent Mfura—faces charges of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud.
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“Vincent Nzigiyimfura allegedly directed and encouraged murders during the genocide in Rwanda, then lied to U.S. authorities to start a new life here,” said Matthew Galeotti, head of the DOJ’s Criminal Division. “The U.S. is not a haven for human rights violators. We will hold accountable those who commit immigration fraud to hide violent pasts.”
The indictment claims that Nzigiyimfura worked as a butcher and businessman in Rwanda and played a leadership role in the genocide against the Tutsi population. He’s accused of helping plan attacks, supplying weapons, and providing transportation for Hutu militias.
Following the genocide, Nzigiyimfura reportedly fled to Malawi before entering the U.S., where he allegedly submitted falsified documents claiming he left Rwanda because of the genocide.
Although he told U.S. immigration officials that he fled due to the violence, Rwandan authorities allege he actively participated in the killing of Tutsis and enabled the genocide through logistical support to Hutu extremists.
If convicted, Nzigiyimfura could face up to 30 years in prison.
While these charges are new, Nzigiyimfura’s presence in the U.S. has been known for years. A 2019 article by Rwandan newspaper The New Times referred to him as the “Butcher of Nyanza” and noted that Rwanda had already submitted an indictment to U.S. authorities requesting his arrest.
That same year, Rwandan Prosecutor General Jean Bosco Mutangana confirmed that the U.S. had been alerted to Nzigiyimfura’s presence.
“We have asked our counterparts in the U.S. to take up the matter if the man is indeed on their territory. We’ve provided all necessary evidence to hold him accountable for the atrocities he committed in the Southern Province,” Mutangana said.
Although the U.S. has never extradited a genocide suspect to Rwanda, it has previously removed individuals based on immigration violations. Nzigiyimfura is currently facing charges for his alleged fraud in the immigration process—not for direct participation in the genocide.
