Arrest Made Over Decade After Murders of Three Italian Nuns in Burundi
Police have apprehended a 50-year-old Burundian man suspected of involvement in the brutal murders of three Italian missionary nuns that occurred over a decade ago in Burundi's commercial capital, Bujumbura. The arrest marks a significant development in a case that has remained unresolved for nearly twelve years.
Suspect Linked to Former Secret Police Chief
Prosecutors in Parma, Italy, announced on Thursday that Guillaume Harushimana is accused of instigating, co-organising, and providing logistical support for the killings of sisters Olga Raschietti, 83, Lucia Pulici, 75, and Bernadetta Boggian, 79. The attacks took place on September 7 and 8, 2014, in two separate incidents.
According to official statements, the murders were ordered by General Adolphe Nshimirimana, who served as head of the Burundi secret police at the time. Nshimirimana was himself assassinated in 2015. Prosecutors allege that Harushimana, who was one of the general's aides, acted as the intermediary in carrying out the executions.
Possible Motives Behind the Killings
Investigators have identified several potential motives for the murders of the elderly nuns, who were working as missionaries in the African nation. The primary theory suggests the sisters were targeted for refusing to provide medical assistance to Burundian militias that were deployed in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Other possible reasons include:
- Disputes over funding for a youth centre in the Kamenge district of Bujumbura
- Involvement in what investigators described as a sacrificial rite
Investigation Reopened After Journalistic Leads
Italian prosecutors revealed they reopened investigations into the murders in 2024, prompted by new information uncovered in a book by investigative journalist Giusy Baioni. This led authorities to testimonies from other nuns who had not previously been interviewed by Burundian officials.
Harushimana's name had previously surfaced in connection with the case. Prosecutors noted he obtained a travel visa to Italy in 2018 to attend a training course in Parma. During that visit, he was questioned by Italian authorities but denied any involvement, claiming he was outside Burundi at the time of the murders and presenting passport stamps as evidence of his absence.
Four Suspects Identified in Execution
Prosecutors stated that four individuals are suspected of directly carrying out the killings:
- Two made radio confessions regarding their involvement
- One described as the general's bodyguard was questioned in Parma and partially admitted to the facts
- A fourth person remains unidentified
Burundi authorities have not immediately responded to requests for comment on the arrest, and Harushimana could not be reached for comment following his apprehension. The case continues to highlight the complex interplay between religious missions, political violence, and international justice in conflict-affected regions of Central Africa.
