The arrest of Faustin Nsabumukunzi has been effected at his Bridgehampton home in New York over his alleged role in the Rwandan genocide, APA learnt on Friday.
After entering the US 22 years ago, the suspect worked as a gardener and beekeeper on Long Island.
Nsabumukunzi, who has been living and working in the US as a beekeeper, was taken into custody on Thursday after evidence that he was linked with the genocide in Rwanda in 1994.
The Justice Department said he was unmasked as a local militia leader at the time of the genocide and played a leading and facilitating role in pogroms during the 100-day massacre which claimed over 800, 000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Nsabumukunzi 65 who has since been bailed after pleading not guilty, was charged with trying to obtain a visa through fraud to enter the US in 2003.
According to federal prosecutor John Durham, Nsabumukunzi also provided false testimony to hide his involvement in the Rwandan genocide in his bid to become a US citizen and reside in the country.
Nsabumukunzi’s roles during the mass slaughter of mainly Tutsis and moderate Hutus included setting up roadblocks to stop victims before they were killed in cold blood.
Prosecutors quoting witnesses claimed the suspect took part in the killings.
“Nsabumukunzi used his leadership position to oversee the violence and killings of Tutsis in his local area and directed groups of armed Hutus to kill Tutsis,” US prosecutors said.
A Rwandan court set up after the genocide convicted Nsabumukunzi and sentenced him to life in prison in absentia.
“For over two decades, he got away with those lies and lived in the United States with an undeserved clean slate,” a court in New York heard.
He received a bail bond of $250,000 but could a maximum of 30 years in jail, if convicted by the court.
However, his lawyer claimed Nsabumukunzi was a victim and not a perpetrator of the Rwandan genocide in which some of his own relatives and friends were killed.
WN/as/APA