Terrorism trial begins for ‘Hotel Rwanda hero’ Paul Rusesabagina
- He faces nine charges, including membership in a terrorist group, financing terrorism, and murder
- Rusesabagina argues he cannot be tried by a Rwanda court because he is no longer a citizen of the country
The terrorism trial of the man who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda began on Wednesday with his argument that a Rwandan court cannot try him because he is no longer a citizen and his assertion that he was kidnapped and is being held hostage.
The world has heard little from Paul Rusesabagina since he disappeared during a visit to Dubai in August and appeared days later in Rwanda in handcuffs, accused of supporting the armed wing of his opposition political platform, which has claimed responsibility for deadly attacks.
His family says the 66-year-old Rusesabagina, praised for saving ethnic Tutsis during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, has no chance at a fair trial because of his outspoken criticism of long-time Rwandan President Paul Kagame and human rights abuses. They also fear he might die from poor health behind bars.
The circumstances around Rusesabagina’s arrest, his limited access to an independent legal team and his reported worsening health have drawn international concern for the Belgian citizen and US resident who left Rwanda in 1996.
The judge on Wednesday said the court will consider Rusesabagina’s argument that it has no jurisdiction to try a non-citizen and announce its decision when the trial resumes on February 26.