The suspect, Baziruwiha Eliezer, also known as Sebishihe, is being held at the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) station in Rubengera. He had previously been sentenced to 19 years in prison by Gacaca courts but fled before serving his sentence.
The 58-year-old was arrested on August 3, 2026, in Matyazo Village, Kinyonzwe Cell, Mutuntu Sector, Karongi District.
The Executive Secretary of Mutuntu Sector, Wilson Ntaganda, said Baziruwiha is suspected of taking part in the killing of Tutsi victims in Bisesero, one of the areas that witnessed some of the most brutal massacres during the genocide.
Ntaganda explained that Baziruwiha disappeared immediately after receiving his 19-year sentence, leaving both survivors and neighbours unaware of his whereabouts. Some even believed he had died while on the run.
According to the local official, Baziruwiha eventually returned to his home area, apparently assuming he had escaped justice. Although he tried to keep a low profile, residents—including genocide survivors whose relatives were killed in Bisesero—eventually recognised him and alerted the authorities.
One of the survivors who identified the suspect reported the information to the sector leadership and was advised to file a complaint with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau, leading to an operation that resulted in his arrest.
“He was arrested on Monday, August 3, and handed over to the RIB station in Rubengera for further investigation,” Ntaganda said. “Authorities will also seek to establish where he had been hiding and whether he has information about other genocide suspects who are still at large so that justice can take its course.”
The Vice President of Ibuka in Karongi District, Jean Laurent Ntukanyagwe, welcomed the arrest, saying the suspect must serve the sentence handed down by the Gacaca courts to reinforce the fight against impunity.
He reiterated that genocide crimes are not subject to a statute of limitations and urged anyone still in hiding to surrender, acknowledge their role, seek forgiveness from survivors and the country, and face justice. He also called on the public to report anyone who escaped justice so they can be arrested and complete their sentences.
Authorities said that 19 genocide suspects who had previously fled justice have been arrested in Mutuntu Sector over the past six months.
According to Ibuka in Karongi District, more than 3,000 people convicted by Gacaca courts for their role in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi remain at large in Karongi and other parts of the country. More than 160 fugitives have been arrested over the past three years.
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