
Karamira during a pro hutu rally
Froduald Karamira (14 August 1947-24 April 1998) was a Rwandan Tutsi politician convicted of crimes against humanity in organizing the implementation of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. He was sentenced to death by a Rwandan court and was one of the last 24 individuals executed by Rwanda.
Biography[]
Karamira was born in Mushubati, Gitarama province, Ruanda-Urundi, to a Tutsi family. As an adult, Karamira was accepted as a Hutu following certain Rwandan traditions that allow "conversions" from one group to another. Karamira became vice president of the MDR party and was a leader in the party's extremist wing, nicknamed "Hutu Power". After the assassination of the first Burundian president of Hutu ethnic group Melchior Ndadaye the 23 October 1993, Karamira delivered a public speech during which he coined the concept of "Hutu power". He called on the Hutu people "to rise up and take the necessary measures," and "seek within ourselves the enemy that is among us." He broadcast daily speeches during the Rwandan genocide.
Genocide trial and subsequent execution[]

Execution's Place
His trial began on 13 January 1997 in Kigali. In addition to his daily speeches that incited genocide, it was claimed that he was instrumental in creating and arming the Interahamwe militias; He was also accused of being personally responsible for the murder of hundreds of Tutsis, including 13 members of his own family. On 14 February 1997, Karamira was convicted of all charges and sentenced to death by firing squad. He appealed to the Kigali Court of Appeals, but the appeal was rejected and his sentence confirmed on 12 September 1997. On 24 April 1998, at a public event at the Nyamirambo Stadium in Kigali, Karamira was executed by a firing squad with 21 other convicted persons for participation in the Rwandan Genocide. On the same day, at least two other people were also executed elsewhere in Rwanda. He was the only notorious Rwandan war criminal to be executed.