Tharcisse Muvunyi, a former lieutenant colonel who was convicted of inciting genocide during the tragic events in Rwanda in 1994, has passed away in Niger. His lawyer revealed on Saturday that Muvunyi had sought medical assistance in Britain but received no response, leading to his untimely demise.
During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, extremist factions of the ruling Hutu majority orchestrated the massacre of over 800,000 minority Tutsis and Hutu moderates within a span of 100 days. At the time, Muvunyi served in the Rwandan army.
Muvunyi was arrested in the United Kingdom and subsequently sentenced to 15 years in prison in 2010 for his role in inciting the genocide. However, he was released two years later after serving his time.
According to Muvunyi’s lawyer, Abbe Jolles, the former lieutenant colonel was found dead in the shower by one of his housemates on Friday afternoon. Muvunyi had been residing in a safe house in Tanzania after his release in 2012 and had relocated to Niger in 2021, where he lived with seven others who had also been tried for their involvement in the genocide.
Reports indicate that Muvunyi had been suffering from illness for several weeks. On May 6, he was discovered unconscious at home and taken to the hospital for brain scans, which unfortunately were not completed. He was discharged on May 10.
Recognizing the urgent need for medical care, Jolles submitted a request to the United Nations on behalf of Muvunyi for his medical evacuation to the United Kingdom. The request, which emphasized the critical nature of his condition, was shared with Reuters. However, no response was received, leaving Muvunyi without the necessary assistance.
At present, the United Nations has not commented on the matter, despite requests for clarification.
The passing of Tharcisse Muvunyi marks a somber moment, highlighting the complex aftermath of the Rwandan genocide and the ongoing challenges faced by those involved in the tragedy.
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