Kigali Rwanda (Commonwealth Union)_It is not every day that a hero who inspired a movie, languishes in a prison having been arrested on terrorism charges. It’s also not every day that a hero then walks out of prison, a free man. We know one who did so and went on to be a role model of peace to the world. Paul Rusesabagina may not be of Nelson Mandela’s stature but his story was worthy enough for Director Terry George to take it on and transform it into a USD 40 million grossing film at the box office. Fourteen years after the film debuted, Rasasabigana was arrested in Rwanda in what was believed to be drummed up charges, thrown into prison.
Rusesabagina, was the real-life hotel manager whose immense bravery and courage saved the lives of hundreds of people during the bloody genocide involving the Tutsis and Hutus. However, he has been an outspoken critic of current President Paul Kagame which was to his detriment. He was arrested in 2020, tried on terrorism related charges and sentenced to 25 years in prison. Rusesabagina was found guilty of being a part of MRCD-FLN, a terror group which was allegedly responsible for two attacks in 2018 where nine people were killed. The conviction however was believed to have been more of a ‘show trial’ and lacked sufficient guarantees of fairness required by international and African standards. The US Government termed it, ‘wrongful detainment.’
The commutation of Rusesabagina’s sentence results from a request he made in writing in October 2022 to Kagame, asking for a pardon. However, the government made it very clear that the commutation of a sentence does not nullify any underlying conviction.
A US legal permanent resident and possessing dual citizenship in Rwanda and Belgium, Rusesabagina flew to Doha after his release and will then fly to the US, where he will be rejoining his family.
