Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

US College Suspends Prof Linked to Genocide

Suspected of role in Rwanda massacre

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 3, 2009 4:07 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – A US college has suspended a visiting professor suspected of participating in the Rwandan genocide, reports the Baltimore Sun. Rwandan prosecutors charge that Leopold Munyakazi, who was teaching French at Goucher College in Maryland, revealed hiding places of ethnic Tutsis to machete-wielding Hutu militias. "We have tried to act in the best interests of the Goucher community, most especially the students," said the college president.

Munyakazi denies the allegations. "I never did this. I was targeted by the militias," said Munyakazi, who is Hutu. "I helped save many Tutsi people." Some 800,000 people were killed in the 1994 massacre. Munyakazi came to Goucher in September through a New York organization that places academics threatened in their native countries. The school was alerted by a Rwandan prosecutor and an NBC News producer. The professor will stay in college housing until the end of the semester.

A Hutu refugee with open machete wounds on his head stands amid hundreds of fellow Rwandans in this 1995 image.
A Hutu refugee with open machete wounds on his head stands amid hundreds of fellow Rwandans in this 1995 image.   (AP Photo/Jean-Marc Bouju, file)
Rwandan professor Leopold Munyakazi shows documents he says proves he wasn't involved in the 1994 genocide.
Rwandan professor Leopold Munyakazi shows documents he says proves he wasn't involved in the 1994 genocide.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
College professor Leopold Munyakazi denies he was involved in the genocide in Rwanda.
College professor Leopold Munyakazi denies he was involved in the genocide in Rwanda.   (AP Photo/Rob Carr)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Shannonals
Feb 4, 2009 2:48 AM CST
I realize the country was in a mess after the Genocide, but if Munyakazi was suspected how was he able to enter France & the U.S., not to mention even leaving Rwanda?

College removes Rwandan professor accused of genocide
Washington Post

College suspends Rwandan over genocide
Reuters

 
genocide • war crimes • Rwanda • Hutu • Tutsi • Goucher College • Leopold Munyakazi • Scholar Rescue Fund

More Newser Stories

Rwandan Gets Life Sentence in 1994 Massacre

Rwandan Woman Is First Ever Convicted of Genocide

Son: Mladic Had Nothing to Do With Srebrenica

Rwandan War Criminal Nabbed in Congo

Clooney, Google to Become 'Anti-Genocide Paparazzi'
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne