A 50-year-old man was arrested in Parma after new probes prompted by a book connected him to the brutal 7–8 September 2014 murders of three Italian missionary nuns in Bujumbura; investigators point to political, economic and ritual motives
Parma — Carabinieri in the province of Parma have arrested 50-year-old Harushimana Guillaume, originally from Burundi and long resident in the area, after a preliminary judge at the Tribunale di Parma issued a custody order. Prosecutors say Guillaume is accused of playing an organising and logistical role in the murders of three Italian Saverian nuns at a mission in the Kamenge district of Bujumbura on the night of 7–8.
The case, which had seen probes stall for years, was reopened after a recent journalistic investigation uncovered fresh leads. Authorities say newly surfaced documents and witness testimony prompted prosecutors to reassess the file and seek the arrest.
What we know – Victims: three Italian Saverian nuns killed in Kamenge, Bujumbura, on 7–8.
– Accusation: Guillaume is alleged to have provided organisation and logistical support linked to the killings. – Trigger for action: new documentary evidence and witness statements gathered after media reporting led investigators to revive the inquiry.
Why the probe resumed After a lengthy lull, the case gained new momentum when reporters uncovered materials that had previously been overlooked.
Those findings spurred witnesses to come forward and produced documents prosecutors considered significant enough to change their evaluation of the investigation. Procedural steps to reopen an inquiry, along with the passage of time and cross-border complexities, shaped the timeline that culminated in this arrest.
Broader ripple effects The renewed attention touches more than the courtroom. Religious and humanitarian groups in both Burundi and Italy are watching closely, and organisations that monitor crimes against faith workers may press for deeper scrutiny. Renewed public interest in cold cases like this can also affect confidence in institutions tasked with delivering justice.
What comes next Prosecutors are expected to present the reasons for detention to the court and to reveal more evidence during pretrial proceedings. Judicial sources say further investigative steps are possible, and additional arrests cannot be ruled out as the inquiry continues to unfold.
