People killed in Rwandan genocide of 1994, targeting the Tutsi ethnic group. Source: Gil Serpereau, Flickr: rwanda-genocide-IMG OO37 | Gil Serpereau | Flickr
Two men accused of being involved in Rwanda’s genocide in 1994 have been identified in an investigation by ABC Four Corners and the Gurdian Australia.
Both have been previously convicted in absentia by Rwanda community courts for participating in mob attacks that murdered members of the Tutsi minority, where more than half a million people were slaughtered.
The accused men did not have legal representation at the time and were sentenced to prison.
In a footage acquired last year, one of the accused men, Froduald Rukeshangabo, is witnessed climbing from a car with yellow L-plates.
Rukeshangabo is an Australian citizen, who lives in suburban Brisbane and works as a driving instructor. He spends his time helping locals obtain their licences.
Rukeshangabo declined interviews with Four Corners and the Guardian, describing the allegations made against him as” false. . . smear campaign[s]”. His family says he is innocent. Others in Rwandan say the allegations are politically motivated.
The other accused man, Célestin Munyaburanga, was not able to be reached, but the Rwandan government believe he is living in Canberra.
Four Corners and the Gurdian do not suggest these men are guilty, but believe the serious allegations warrant a new trial in Rwandan court.
Rwanda has sent an indictment to the Australian government, seeking extraction or prosecution for both men.
Munyaburanga’s indictment accuses him of being a part of a mob that went to “hunt down and kill Tutsi [members]”. It is alleged he manned a roadblock with militia forces, and was responsible for the death of at least 20 civilians.
Since the investigation, his family has been identified at a property in south-western Brisbane, close to the suburb from where Rukeshangabo lives. A member of his family stated that Munyaburanga was innocent and was not residing in Australia currently.
Rwanda has previously faced international criticism for its human rights system. As a result, some countries have been reluctant to accept extraction requests from Rwanda, as there is no guarantee of a fair trial.
