Charles Munyaneza (born 1958) is a Rwandan man living in the Putnoe area of Bedford, England.
In March 2006, he was named in a list prepared by the Rwandan government of Rwandan genocide suspects living abroad.
During the genocide, Munyaneza was the mayor (burgomaster) of Kinyamakara commune in the prefecture of Gikongoro.[1] Munyaneza was known for his good relations with Tutsi, despite his membership of the MRND party. Munyaneza hid Tutsi from a neighboring commune in his house during the genocide, and fought off assailants to defend them.[1] After 1994, he sought asylum in the United Kingdom under the name "Muneza", and was granted indefinite leave to remain in 2002.
In a statement to The Guardian, Munyaneza proclaimed his innocence and stated he was willing to go to an English court to clear his name.[2]
He was arrested in Britain on 28 December 2006 and placed in HMP Belmarsh. His extradition to Rwanda has been denied twice by the British authorities.[3]
. Des Forges. Alison. Alison Des Forges. Leave None to Tell the Story: Genocide in Rwanda – Gikongoro → Attacking Dissenters. March 1999. Human Rights Watch. New York. 1-56432-171-1.