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Rwandan Genocide Leader Lived Quietly in Ohio for Years—Now Faces U.S. Justice After ICE Investigation

Charlie Kirk Staff

06/19/2025

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Rwandan Genocide Leader Lived Quietly in Ohio for Years—Now Faces U.S. Justice After ICE Investigation

A 65-year-old man living in Dayton, Ohio has been indicted for allegedly lying on immigration applications to conceal his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, federal officials announced Thursday. The indictment, unsealed on June 13, follows a long-running investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Vincent Nzigiyimfura, a former businessman and shop owner in Rwanda, is accused of directing and participating in the mass killing of Tutsis during the genocide, then entering the United States under false pretenses and eventually applying for U.S. citizenship.

Court records state that Nzigiyimfura was a community leader in Rwanda during the genocide and used his position to help coordinate violent attacks on Tutsi civilians. He allegedly led groups of armed Hutus, established roadblocks to detain and execute Tutsis, and even oversaw killings near his own residence.

“As alleged, Vincent Nzigiyimfura directed and encouraged murders during the genocide in Rwanda and then lied to U.S. authorities to start a new life in this country,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The United States is not a safe haven for human rights violators. Those, like the defendant, who commit immigration fraud to hide their violent pasts will be charged and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to the indictment, Nzigiyimfura was convicted in absentia by a Rwandan court for his role in the genocide. Despite this, he managed to obtain a U.S. visa and was granted lawful permanent resident status in 2008. In 2014, he applied for naturalization but allegedly lied about his background and denied involvement in any acts of persecution.

“The indictment alleges this defendant facilitated the killings of Tutsis during the Rwandan genocide and then lied about it on immigration applications in the United States,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Kelly A. Norris for the Southern District of Ohio. “This egregious conduct will not be tolerated.”

Nzigiyimfura was arrested on June 12 and is facing one count of visa fraud and two counts of attempted naturalization fraud. If convicted, he could serve up to 30 years in prison.

“ICE HSI is committed to pursuing justice for victims of genocide by ensuring that those who committed atrocities in foreign lands cannot hide in Ohio or any other community in the United States,” said Jared Murphey, Acting Special Agent in Charge for ICE Homeland Security Investigations Detroit. “No one wants a war criminal as their neighbor and these allegations paint a grim picture of the horror Nzigiyimfura inflicted on the Tutsi people. His indictment and arrest is a step toward justice for those victims.”

The case is being investigated by ICE HSI Detroit, with support from the interagency Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.

The HRVWCC, created in 2009, works to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals living in the U.S. who are responsible for human rights violations abroad. According to ICE, there are currently more than 180 active investigations into suspected human rights abusers and over 1,945 leads being pursued across 95 countries. Since 2003, U.S. authorities have prevented over 390 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the country.

Assistant U.S. Attorney George Painter of the Southern District of Ohio and Trial Attorney Brian Morgan of the Justice Department’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section are handling the prosecution.

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Charlie Kirk is the Founder and President of Turning Point USA, a national student movement dedicated to empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government.

Charlie is also the host of “The Charlie Kirk Show” podcast, which regularly ranks among the top-10 news shows on Apple podcast news charts, and is the host of the nationally syndicated daily radio show on the Salem Radio Network live from 12 - 3 PM ET.
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