Ohio Man Convicted for Lies About Rwandan Genocide Involvement

Eric Tabaro Nshimiye, a 54-year-old resident of Uniontown, Ohio, has been convicted by a federal jury in Boston on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. The conviction stems from his false testimony regarding his involvement in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a period during which approximately 800,000 Tutsis were murdered over the course of about 100 days.

Nshimiye was found guilty of four counts of perjury and one count of obstruction of justice. His sentencing is scheduled for January 26, 2027, where he faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each perjury count and up to 10 years for obstruction of justice.

Involvement in the Genocide

According to the U. S. Attorney's Office, Nshimiye participated in attacks against Tutsi men and women while he was a medical student at the University of Rwanda in the early 1990s.

Witnesses testified that he was involved in violent acts, including clubbing a tailor to death. He was also a member of the MRND, a Hutu-dominated party that played a significant role in the genocide.

Nshimiye fled Rwanda in the summer of 1994, eventually gaining admission to the United States as a refugee in 1995 by concealing his participation in the genocide. He later obtained U.S. citizenship through continued deception about his past.

Legal Proceedings and Testimony

The charges against Nshimiye were partly based on his testimony during the 2019 trial of Jean Leonard Teganya, another individual accused of concealing his involvement in the genocide. Nshimiye falsely testified that neither he nor Teganya participated in the genocide or were members of the MRND. Teganya was convicted of immigration fraud and perjury in April 2019.

Nshimiye's conviction is the result of efforts by the U.S. Attorney's Office, the Justice Department's Criminal Division, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), with assistance from HSI's Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center.

U. S. Attorney Leah B.

Foley emphasized the importance of protecting victims rather than violent criminals, stating, "This verdict ensures Nshimiye can no longer hide behind his lies." Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva highlighted the courage of the survivors who testified, stating that their bravery and the diligence of law enforcement have ensured that Nshimiye will face the consequences of his actions.

Nshimiye's conviction marks a significant step in holding accountable those who have attempted to evade justice for their roles in the Rwandan genocide. His sentencing in January will determine the extent of his punishment for these crimes.