“Most Wanted Genocide Fugitive Arrested: Fulgence Kayishema Apprehended in South Africa after 20 Years on the Run”

The most important fugitive suspect of the genocide in Rwanda has been arrested. Fulgence Kayishema had been on the run since 2001 and was arrested in South Africa yesterday.

Kayishema is said to be responsible for the murder of more than 2,000 Tutsi refugees in a church in 1994. He bought gasoline and distributed it to burn down the church with refugees inside, the United Nations International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) reports .

“When that failed, Kayishema and others used a bulldozer to collapse the church, burying and killing the refugees inside.” For the next two days, Kayishema and others allegedly supervised the transfer of corpses to mass graves.

“His arrest ensures that he will finally stand trial for his alleged crimes,” said Chief Prosecutor Serge Brammertz. Earlier, Brammertz complained about the lack of cooperation with the South African authorities and several times a fugitive was barely caught. Now the prosecution praises South Africa’s cooperation and support.

Kayishema used many alibis and forged documents and was helped by relatives and supporters from Rwanda.

Up to $5 million was offered for information leading to Kayishema and other suspects. It is not yet known whether the tip money will be awarded and to whom.

The suspect will be brought before a court in Cape Town tomorrow.

An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the 1994 Rwandan genocide in 100 days.