Paul Rusesabagina: Hotel Rwanda Film Hero Arrested

Posted by: Eninu William in World news August 31, 2020

Paul Rusesabagina became popular after Hotel Rwanda depicted his efforts to save hundreds of Tutsis at his hotel during the genocide. He is a Hutu who inspired a Hollywood film about the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Authorities are charging him with leading “terrorist movements”.

Rusesabagina launched an opposition party, which had an armed wing based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. This armed wing is responsible for many terrorist activities within and outside Rwanda.

The country’s bureau of Investigation said in a Twitter statement that Rusesabagina is now in their custody after being arrested “through international cooperation.” It did not indicate which country helped them with the arrest.

About 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

An international warrant was issued for his arrest and he is currently in police custody in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, said the Rwanda Investigation Bureau.

Authorities are accusing the 66 year old of being the “founder, leader and sponsor of violent, armed, extremist terror outfits,” the agency said.

He had been living in exile.

Mr Rusesabagina denies any wrongdoing and says there is a smear campaign against him.

Don Cheadle played Mr Rusesabagina in the film. The film depicts him as a manager at the Milles Collines hotel where he hid and sheltered people in the luxury hotel.

Notable acts;

In 2007, Mr Rusesabagina said a UN-backed war crimes court should put some members of the RPF on trial. He alleges that they have a role in the genocide.

“I’m just a normal person. I’ve always defended human rights,” he said at the time.

“I’m trying to be the voice of millions of Rwandese who have no-one to speak out for them. ”

He is the recipient of several human rights awards. However, he recieved these awards for his efforts during the genocide. Among them is the US Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

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