Fulgence Kayishema

Who is Fulgence Kayishema?

Fulgence Kayishema is a Rwandan Hutu militiaman wanted for war crimes in relation to his role in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Born in Kivumu, he was the inspector of the judicial police there at the time of the genocide. His indictment cites his involvement in massacres from April 6, 1994 till April 20, along with Athanase Seromba, Grégoire Ndahimana, Télesphore Ndungutse, the judge Joseph Habiyambere and the assistant mayor Vedaste Mupende.

Fulgence Kayishema is charged by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda with genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide and extermination. The ICTR indictment, dated 5 July 2001, alleges that, among other acts, Fulgence Kayishema ordered the killing of Tutsis inside Nyange church, and brought fuel for use by the Interahamwe militia to attempt to burn down the church. An estimated 2,000 civilians died in this attack alone.

On 11 June 2007, the ICTR Prosecutor filed a motion to transfer this case to Rwanda. On 16 December 2008, Trial Chamber III of the ICTR denied the motion citing concerns about the lack of fair trials in Rwanda. At present Fulgence Kayishema remains at large.