Paul Rusesabagina - The African Mirror

Feb

2021

US intervenes on ‘Hotel Rwanda hero’

THE United States State Department says it has engaged with the government of Rwanda at the "highest levels" on the case of Paul Rusesabagina, the hotelier depicted as a hero in a Hollywood film about Rwanda's 1994 genocide, who was charged with terrorism-related offences in a Kigali court. "The State Department has engaged the government of Rwanda at the highest levels, both here in Washington as well as in Kigali and it is something we will continue to do," State Department spokesman Ned Price said.

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero says he was kidnapped and blindfolded before arrest

NEWS

Paul Rusesabagina Rusesabagina, a political dissident who has lived in exile in Belgium and the United States, was arrested in August after returning to the country. At the time it was not immediately clear whether he had returned voluntarily or had been coerced. "I was kidnapped to come here," Rusesabagina said in court in the capital, Kigali, as he applied for bail. "...They tied my legs and my arms and I was blindfolded." Prosecutors denied he had been kidnapped and said due process had been followed. "No one kidnapped Paul Rusesabagina...he was detained at a legally recognised place after being…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Rwandan court denies “Hotel Rwanda” hero Rusesabagina bail, extends detention

NEWS

CLEMENT UWIRIGIYIMANA A Rwandan court extended the detention of "Hotel Rwanda" hero Paul Rusesabagina on Friday pending trial on terrorism charges and denied him bail, the judge hearing the case said. Rusesabagina, a political dissident who has lived in exile in Belgium and the United States, was arrested in August after returning to the country and subsequently charged with terrorism and other offences. "The fact that he is sick is not alone a ground to release him on bail," Theodosie Mukarugira said in a ruling via Skype. She said the detention would be extended by 30 days starting from Friday…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Foreign lawyers for ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero say they have been denied access to him

NEWS

CLEMENT UWIRINGIYIMANA FOREIGN lawyers of Paul Rusesabagina, depicted as a hero in a Hollywood movie about Rwanda's 1994 genocide, say they have been stopped from seeing their client who is under detention in the central African country. A political dissident who has lived in exile in Belgium and the United States, Rusesabagina was arrested in August after returning to the country and subsequently charged with terrorism and other offences. Attorneys Vincent Lurquin and Philippe Larochelle said in an online press conference their efforts to talk to their client during a recent visit to Rwanda had been frustrated by authorities. Larochelle…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Family of ‘Hotel Rwanda hero’ calls on United States, EU and Belgium to help free him

NEWS

CLEMENT UWIRIGIYIMANA THE family of Paul Rusesabagina, the former hotelier portrayed as a hero in a film about Rwanda's 1994 genocide, has called on the United States, the European Union and Belgium to appeal for his release from prison in Rwanda. Rusesabagina, a political dissident who lived in exile in Belgium and the United States, was charged with terrorism and other offences last month after he returned to Rwanda and was arrested in August. His case has attracted widespread international attention partly because his story of protecting Tutsi guests during the genocide was made into a popular Hollywood film. Rusesabagina,…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

‘Hotel Rwanda’ inspiration tells court he did not direct attacks

NEWS

CLEMENT UWIRINGIYIMANA PAUL Rusesabagina, the former hotelier portrayed as a hero in a film about Rwanda's 1994 genocide, told his terrorism trial that he had backed opposition groups but denied any involvement in violence. Rusesabagina - who was played by Don Cheadle in the movie "Hotel Rwanda" - was detained in August and charged in Kigali with crimes including terrorism, financing terrorism, arson, kidnap and murder. The 66-year-old, who has attended past hearings in a suit, appeared in court for the first time in a prison uniform of pink shorts and shirt, with his head shaved. He enjoyed worldwide acclaim…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero says he was duped into coming to Rwanda

NEWS

CLEMENT UWIRINGIYIMANA PAUL Rusesabagina, depicted in a Hollywood movie as a hero who helped save Tutsis during the Rwandan genocide, said he believed he was flying to Burundi at the invitation of a pastor, but was instead lured to Rwanda and arrested on terrorism charges. Rusesabagina was speaking to the New York Times in an interview the paper said had been authorised by the Rwandan government and had taken place in the presence of government officials. The 66-year-old political dissident and former hotel manager was propelled to fame after the Oscar-nominated film "Hotel Rwanda" portrayed him using his connections with…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero denied bail during terror trial

NEWS

CLEMENT UWIRIGIYIMANA PAUL Rusesabagina depicted as a hero in a Hollywood movie about Rwanda's 1994 genocide and now on trial for terrorism, has been denied bail though he had promised not to escape. Rusesabagina, who once called for armed resistance to the government in a YouTube video, was charged in a Kigali court on Monday with 13 counts including terrorism, complicity in murder and involvement with an irregular armed group. The 66-year-old former hotel manager was portrayed in the Oscar-nominated film "Hotel Rwanda" using his connections with the Hutu elite to protect Tutsis fleeing the slaughter. Rejecting Rusesabagina's bail application,…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero could face maximum life in prison, prosecution says

NEWS

CLEMENT UWIRINGIYIMANA PAUL Rusesabagina, portrayed as a hero in a Hollywood movie about Rwanda's 1994 genocide, may face 25 years to life in prison if convicted of various offences, the prosecution said. Rusesabagina, who once called for armed resistance to the government in a YouTube video, was charged in a Kigali court on Monday with 13 counts including terrorism, complicity in murder and forming or joining an irregular armed group. "For some of the crimes, he may face 25 years, and some even go up to life imprisonment," Faustin Nkusi, spokesman of Rwanda's prosecution authority, told Reuters on phone. Rusesabagina…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero appears in court on terror charges

NEWS

CLEMENT UWIRINGIYIMANA PAUL Rusesabagina, portrayed as a hero in a Hollywood movie about Rwanda's 1994 genocide, has faced 12 charges including terrorism in a Kigali court, in a case shining a spotlight on opposition to President Paul Kagame. Rusesabagina, who once called for armed resistance to the government in a YouTube video, was accused of terrorism, complicity in murder and forming or joining an irregular armed group, among the charges. The 66-year-old former hotel manager was portrayed in the Oscar-nominated film "Hotel Rwanda" using his connections with the Hutu elite to protect Tutsis fleeing the slaughter. Brought to court handcuffed…