Fulgence Kayishema is a former police officer and one of the most wanted fugitives of the Rwandan genocide. Born in 1960 in Kivumu, Rwanda, Kayishema was the inspector of the judicial police in the region during the 1994 genocide. He is accused of playing a key role in the massacre of Tutsi civilians in the Kibuye region, where he allegedly ordered the killing of Tutsi refugees who had sought shelter at a church.
Kayishema has been on the run since 1994 and was one of the last four fugitives wanted for their role in the genocide. He was finally arrested in South Africa on Wednesday, after 22 years on the run. His arrest was the result of a joint operation between South African authorities and the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, which was established by the United Nations to prosecute individuals responsible for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia.
Kayishema's arrest has been hailed as a significant step towards justice for the victims of the Rwandan genocide. The genocide, which took place over a period of 100 days in 1994, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutu civilians. Many of the perpetrators of the genocide have been brought to justice in the years since, but some, like Kayishema, have remained at large. His appearance in the news recently has brought renewed attention to the ongoing efforts to hold those responsible for the genocide accountable for their crimes.
Rwandan genocide suspect appears in South African court after 30 years on the run
Fulgence Kayishema, one of the most wanted remaining fugitives of the Rwandan genocide, has appeared before a court in the South African city of Cape Town following his arrest this week after 30 years on the run.
Rwandan genocide suspect arrested in South Africa after 22 years on the run
Fulgence Kayishema, one of the last four fugitives wanted for their role in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, was arrested in South Africa on Wednesday after 22 years on the run.
Rwandan genocide suspect Fulgence Kayishema arrested in South Africa
Former police officer Fulgence Kayishema, one of the world's most wanted genocide fugitives, has been arrested in South Africa after being on the run since 2001.