Terrorism trial begins for ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero

KIGALI: Paul Rusesabagina, the polarising hero of the hit movie Hotel Rwanda, went on trial on charges including terrorism that drew international calls for his release.

Rusesabagina, whose actions during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide inspired the movie, had been living abroad for years before appearing in Kigali under arrest in mysterious circumstances in October.

His family and lawyers say he was abducted overseas and brought back to Rwanda illegally.

As an outspoken government critic, he cannot receive a fair trial in Rwanda, and has not been allowed to meet with international lawyers, it was claimed.

The former hotelier, who was played by American actor Don Cheadle in the 2004 film, has been charged with 13 offences, including terrorism for starting an armed group in recent years that is accused of staging deadly attacks within Rwanda.

He appeared in court on Wednesday alongside 20 others facing similar charges for supporting the banned outfit, the National Liberation Front.

Rusesabagina’s legal team argued that he cannot be tried in Rwanda until it is established whether his extradition was legal.

“Let me say this again as I have said before many times. I am not a Rwandan. I am Belgian. The case file on me should reflect that,” Rusesabagina told the court.

But lead prosecutor Bonaventure Ruberwa said Rusesabagina’s parents were Rwandans and he had never renounced his citizenship.

“He was reported as a Rwandan to the Belgian authorities. He holds dual citizenship as a Belgian, so the court should disregard his claim.”

Ruberwa said Belgian authorities had “fully cooperated” with their investigation and assisted by sending documents about Rusesabagina to Rwandan authorities.

The 66-year-old had already been denied bail, which he sought on account of poor health.

Rusesabagina is credited with sheltering hundreds of Rwandans inside a hotel he managed during the 1994 genocide, in which 800,000 mostly Tutsis but also moderate Hutus were slaughtered.

But in the years after Hollywood made him an international celebrity, a more complex image emerged of the staunch government critic, whose tirades against the regime of long-serving Rwandan President Paul Kagame made him an enemy of the state.

Kagame has been in power since 1994 and is accused by critics of crushing opponents and ruling through fear.