An Ohio man, identified as a 52-year-old living in Uniontown, has been arrested for allegedly concealing his involvement in the Rwandan genocide that occurred almost three decades ago. The man, known as Eric Tabaro Nshimiye, faces charges including falsifying, concealing material facts, obstruction of justice, and perjury.
According to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Nshimiye is accused of participating in the killing of Tutsi men, women, and children in Rwanda by using brutal methods such as hitting victims with nail-studded clubs and hacking them to death with machetes. Specific instances of his crimes include killing a 14-year-old boy and aiding in the rape of Tutsi women.
The Rwandan genocide, which took place in 1994, resulted in the deaths of approximately 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis who were targeted by the Hutu ethnic majority. The genocide was fueled by incitement from local officials and government-sponsored media, leading to mass killings and atrocities.
Nshimiye's charges also stem from his testimony during the 2019 trial of his former classmate, Jean Leonard Teganya, a convicted Rwandan genocide perpetrator. Nshimiye allegedly lied to conceal his own involvement in the genocide during the trial.
In 2017, Teganya was convicted of immigration fraud for concealing his role in the genocide. Nshimiye, who fled Rwanda in 1994 and later immigrated to the United States, is accused of providing false information to immigration officials to obtain lawful permanent residence and U.S. citizenship.
If convicted, Nshimiye could face up to twenty years in prison and significant fines. He is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston at a later date for further proceedings.
