Faustin Ndinabahizi from Karongi District was arrested at the Rubengera Sector Office while requesting land transfer services. He had been in hiding for 31 years due to his involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
On October 30, 2025, this man, originally from Akabeza Village, Kibilizi Cell in Rubengera Sector, was captured following information provided by local informants.
Jean Pierre Byiringiro, President of Ibuka in Rubengera Sector, told IGIHE that Ndinabahizi had previously been sentenced by the Gacaca courts to 30 years in prison but was tried in absentia because he had fled to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In 2021, he escaped again but did not return to his original residence; instead, he moved to Sebukwe in Gishyita Sector, also in Karongi District.
While in Sebukwe, he began selling land from his home area in Rubengera through his wife, appearing only on land transaction days at the sector office.
This time, when he went to the Rubengera Sector Office for a land transaction, a local resident who had attended a recent Minubumwe service meeting recognized him and reported him, leading to his arrest.
Since January 2025, over 60 individuals in Karongi District involved in the genocide have been captured after escaping justice, according to the Gacaca courts.
Byiringiro commended citizens for continuing to provide information that helps capture genocide suspects.
He said: “We also thank the national leadership for the efforts in tracking genocide perpetrators, which shows that justice prevails for survivors.”
Faustin Ayabagabo, Executive Secretary of Rubengera Sector, reminded genocide perpetrators still in hiding that the crime of genocide never expires.
He advised: “The best option is to surrender to justice because, no matter where they hide, they will eventually be captured.”
Ndinabahizi, 62, was found guilty by the Gacaca courts of involvement in the murder of Suzanne Mukakimenyi, aged 73, and her three children.
After his arrest, he was taken to the Rubengera RIB station for detention.
