The “Hotel Rwanda” Hero Gets 25 years in prison after being found guilty of terror charges

Last updated on September 22nd, 2021 at 09:37 am

After what his supporters called a politically orchestrated show trial, Paul Rusesabagina, the Hotel Rwanda hero who became a fiercely outspoken government critic, was sentenced to 25 years in prison on terrorism charges on Monday. A Kigali high court found him guilty of creating a rebel group that was responsible for deadly gun, grenade, and arson attacks in Rwanda in 2018 and 2019.

 At the end of a seven-month trial, Justice Beatrice Mukamurenzi remarked, “He created a terrorist organization that attacked Rwanda, and he financially contributed to terrorist actions.” Rusesabagina, a 67-year-old former hotelier credited for saving over 1,200 lives during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and whose deeds inspired the Hollywood blockbuster, had faced a life sentence from Rwandan authorities.

Related Posts

 However, because it was Mukamurenzi’s first conviction, he believes the sentence “should be lowered to 25 years.” Rusesabagina’s family has expressed concern about his health, and neither he nor his lawyers were present in court for the verdict. He is likely to file an appeal. The hearing was attended by the other 20 suspects in the case, who were chained and clad in pastel pink prison uniforms.

 The court, which was filled with journalists and diplomats from various embassies, was surrounded by security officers. Rusesabagina, who exploited his celebrity to call Rwandan President Paul Kagame a dictator, has been detained since August 2020, when a plane he thought was going to Burundi instead landed in Kigali.

 Rusesabagina was kidnapped, according to his family, and he denied the nine charges leveled against him as retaliation by a spiteful government for his outspoken opinions. Rusesabagina was indicted not because of his celebrity, but because of the lives lost “as a result of his conduct,” Kagame said earlier this month.

fatima

Recent Posts

Zimbabwe’s rich (Mbingas) linked to state looting

Gilbert Machokoto, a former teacher, said that setting up a business in the late 1980s, shortlyafter Zimbabwe's independence, was ‘like…

November 4, 2024

Historic Shift in Botswana as PresidentConcedes to Opposition Victory

Following elections in which the party that had ruled the diamond-rich nation for almost 60years suffered a historic setback. Botswana's…

November 4, 2024

Lightning Strike at Uganda Refugee CampClaims 14 Lives, Including Children

A lightning strike at a refugee camp in Uganda kills 14 people including children with 34 othershospitalized. The incident happened…

November 4, 2024

From television hopeful to red carpet royalty: Kuhle Adams’ journey frompresenter to South Africa’s biggest awards

From TV hopeful to red carpet royalty, Kuhle Adams' journey is a remarkable story of talentand perseverance. Beginning as an…

November 3, 2024

Breaking Barriers: Kenya’s First FemaleCoach in Men’s Premier League MakesHistory

A new dawn in African football dawns as Jackline Juma is set to become the firstwoman to coach a men’s…

November 3, 2024

Kithure Kindiki Sworn In as Kenya’sDeputy President Amid Court Stoppedhis Appointment Last Time

Last Friday Kithure Kindiki was again inaugurated as Kenya's new deputy president followinglegal challenges by his predecessor.The man who Kindiki…

November 3, 2024

This website uses cookies.