Hotel Rwanda hero abducted in Dubai, claims his family
The man portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda as saving the lives of more than 1,200 people from genocide was “kidnapped” while in Dubai, his daughter asserts.
Authorities yesterday gave no further details behind Paul Rusesabagina’s arrest on terror charges.
The appearance of Mr Ruse s a b a g i n a i n h a n d c u f f s i n Rwanda’s capital on Monday p r o m p t e d c o n c e r n a m o n g some human rights activists, who worried the outspoken critic of Rwanda’s government was the latest example of the government targeting dissidents beyond its borders.
He had been living outside Rwanda since 19 9 6, fi rs t in Belgium and then in Texas in the US.
Rwandan authorities have s a i d t h e y i s s u e d a n a r r e s t warrant for Mr Rusesabagina to answer charges of serious crimes, including terrorism, arson, kidnap, and murder, perpetrated against unarmed, innocent Rwandan civilians on Rwandan territory.
The authorities cited “international co - op eration”, but gave no details. They did not s a y w h e r e o r h o w h e w a s apprehended.
Mr Rusesabagina’s adopted daughter Carine Kanimba said she last spoke with him before he flew to Dubai last week, but she did not know the exact nature of his trip. She did not provide evidence to suppor t her claim that he had been kidnapped.
S h e s a i d h i s f a m i l y w a s informed early Monday that he was being held in Rwanda, but they have not been able to speak to him. They are worried the 66-year-old may not b e getting his hyp er tension medication.
Mr Rusesabagina is a B elgian citizen and a permanent resident of the United States, Ms Kanimba said: “We’re hoping to secure his release quickly and safely,” she said.
Ms Kanimba said her father had long been a target because of his criticism of the Rwand a n g o v e r n m e n t . “W h a t they’re accusing him of is all made up,” she said “There is no evidence to what they’re claiming. We know this is a wrongful arrest.”
I t wa s n o t c l e a r whe n Mr Rusesabagina would appear i n c o u r t o r wh a t e v i d e n c e Rwandan authorities have to support their charges.
Police said Mr Rusesabagina was “suspected to be the founder, leader, sponsor and memb e r o f v i o l e nt , a r med, e x t r e m i s t t e r r o r o u t f i t s , including the Rwanda Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD) operating out of various places in the region and abroad”.
The MRCD, in a statement on Monday, condemned the arrest of Mr Rusesabagina, which it identified as one of its leaders.
The group describ es itself as a p olitical platform. The organisation did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Interpol did not immediately respond to questions.