UW-Madison Professor Scott Straus' extensive knowledge of genocide and African politics has landed him as an expert witness in the trial of Lazare Kobagaya who is charged with ordering mass murders during the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The trial will take place in Kansas, where 84-year-old Kobagaya now resides, marking the first criminal prosecution in the United States to require proof of genocide, according to the U.S. Justice Department.
Prosecutors allege Kobagaya illegally obtained United States citizenship by lying on his citizenship application, where he denied participating in the genocide.
The U.S. Justice Department alleges Kobagaya directed mass burnings of Tutsi homes and killings of hundreds of Tutsis, in addition to ordering the murder of any Hutu women married to Tutsi men.
Prosecutors are bringing in over 20 Rwandans to serve as witnesses for the case.
Political Science Associate Professor Straus would not comment on the specifics of the case, but said he expects to testify sometime next week.
According to the United Human Rights Council, 800,000 people died in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
If convicted, Kobagaya faces deportation and up to 10 years in prison.
—Kayla Johnson
