A Burundian national suspected to have participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi has been arrested in the United States.
Lazare Kobagaya, 82, is a naturalised US citizen who was arrested in the State of Kansas after it was found that he had misinformed the authorities there when he applied for citizenship in 2005.
Kobagaya, according to an indictment issued by the US Department of Justice, is accused of having spearheaded killings in the former Nyakizu Commune in the Southern Province.
Besides having had a role in the Genocide, the Burundian who resided in the former Butare Prefecture during the Genocide is accused of perjury, giving false information to the US immigration officials in his quest for citizenship.
While under oath, he had told the immigration officials in the US that he was in Burundi between 1993 and 1995, a time when the Genocide took place but after investigations, it was established that he was in Rwanda.
The National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) has welcomed the development saying that other countries should take heed and act on Genocide fugitives they are harbouring.
"The arrest of this man by the United States authorities sends a clear signal that anyone who had a role in the Genocide will not permanently keep out of reach of the arm of justice," said NPPA spokesperson Augustin Nkusi.
According to a Thursday release from the US department of Justice, Kobagaya is subject to automatic revocation of his citizenship if convicted and faces imprisonment of up to 10 years.
The statement says that the accused was scheduled to appear in court yesterday before a judge in the District of Kansas.
A source from Prosecution intimated that the arrest is subsequent to an inquiry that has been ongoing which saw officials from the US Department of Justice visit Rwanda to investigate Kobagaya's alleged role in the Genocide that left over a million Tutsi dead. He is one of the many Burundian nationals suspected in having played a role in the Genocide.
Last year, the NPPA said they had compiled a list of over 6,000 Burundians suspected of participating in the Genocide and had said that negotiations were underway to have them brought to book either in Burundi, where most of them have since returned, or in Rwanda.
Kobagaya's arrest comes just months after; a college in the US suspended Leopold Munyakazi, another fugitive, to pave way for a judicial process to bring him to justice.
Several fugitives remain at large in the US despite most of them having Red Notices on their heads.
In an effort to apprehend those responsible for Genocide who are still at large, the Rwandan Cabinet last year mandated the Genocide Fugitives Tracking Unit (GFTU), an entity that operates under NPPA, find them and have them arrested.
The team, composed of prosecutors and investigators, is headed by John Bosco Mutangana, a senior prosecutor.
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History reveals that when Burundian Hutu were killed in the 1972 genocide by the Tutsi people, my homeland USA, most European countries and African nations supported the killers' action. Do not worry as material facts evidence supporting this statement can be provided. No international court for Burundi genocide was instituted, merely because Hutu were killed. Recently Mr. Barack Obama, President of the United States of America made some comment about genocide, which were not appreciated; in fact, that was not the change we are looking for and believing in. The 1990 to 1994 case of Rwanda genocide shows how the genocide is selective and manipulated by foreign developed countries, with my homeland USA at the top. I'll be meeting with President Barack Obama so that we can have a closer look at theses comments and prevent any future funding of the International Tribunal for Rwanda, on the ground of Prejudice. American Taxpayer money should be spared and not to be wasted. Interahamwe Militia were mixed to include 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi. The head for the Interahamwe was a Tutsi. I'll be meeting the French president to thank his government and discuss the possibility to prevent any genocide whatsoever. The US Congress and US government should understand that there should also be an International Tribunal for the 1972 Burundi Genocide and we need it now. How is that there is a tribunal for the 1990-1994 Rwanda genocide, but not for the 1972 Burundi Genocide? Let it be known that when what that is True comes, what is not true will disappear. The time has now come.