(TJV NEWS) A Rwandan refugee convicted of horrific war crimes was freed this week thanks to the generosity of a wealthy Hamptons financier, despite federal authorities warning he poses a serious flight risk, East Hampton Star reported.

2006: NY Times writes fawning profile piece on newly-arrived African refugee working as beekeeper on Long Island

Faustin Nsabumukunzi was just arrested by feds who say he helped orchestrate 1994 Rwandan genocide

Private equity mogul Steve Felsher reportedly covered his bail pic.twitter.com/LMNEH7KpRJ

— Border Hawk (@BorderHawkNews) April 26, 2025

Faustin Nsabumukunzi, 65, was arrested on Long Island and charged with immigration fraud after allegedly lying for decades about his leading role in Rwanda’s 1994 genocide, according to East Hampton Star and federal prosecutors.

Nsabumukunzi, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in absentia by a Rwandan court in 2008, managed to live quietly for years in the United States, working as a beekeeper in Bridgehampton. His quiet life even earned glowing profiles from local outlets — and, ironically, a fawning feature in The New York Times, which celebrated his beekeeping talents without knowing the dark allegations that shadowed his past.

According to East Hampton Star, federal authorities say Nsabumukunzi repeatedly lied during his U.S. asylum and green card applications, denying any involvement in genocide or crimes of moral turpitude. He was granted permanent residency in 2007. But in 2016, when he applied for citizenship, a background check triggered by an Interpol Red Notice ultimately revealed the truth.

The New York Post, citing a law enforcement source, reported that when agents arrested Nsabumukunzi, he admitted, “I know, I’m finished.”

Despite the severity of the charges and prosecutors’ pleas to hold him without bail, Judge Joanna Seybert of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York approved his release on a $250,000 bond — underwritten by Steven Felsher, a private equity executive and Hamptons resident, East Hampton Star noted.

Under the terms of his release, Nsabumukunzi must wear a GPS monitor but will be allowed to continue working as a beekeeper and gardener for Felsher.

If convicted, Nsabumukunzi could face up to 30 years in prison and possible deportation.