(MENAFN) Paul Rusesabagina, the man who inspired the acclaimed film "Hotel Rwanda," has returned to the United States after being released from prison in Rwanda. Rusesabagina, a US legal resident and Belgian citizen, was credited with sheltering more than 1,000 ethnic Tutsis at the hotel he managed during Rwanda's 1994 genocide. However, he disappeared in 2020 during a visit to Dubai and appeared days later in Rwanda in handcuffs. His family alleged that he was kidnapped and taken to Rwanda against his will to stand trial.
In 2021, Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted in Rwanda on eight charges, including membership in a terrorist group, murder, and abduction. However, the trial was widely criticized, with his family and human rights groups alleging that it was politically motivated and lacked due process. Last week, Rwanda's government commuted his sentence after diplomatic intervention on his behalf by the United States.
On March 31, 2023, Rusesabagina's arrival in San Antonio was announced by his daughter, Carine Kanimba, who tweeted that "our family is finally reunited today." White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan also tweeted that "we're glad to have him back on US soil." Rusesabagina's plane first touched down in Houston, and the 68-year-old visited a military hospital in San Antonio, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Rusesabagina had been accused of supporting the armed wing of his opposition political platform, the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change. The armed group claimed some responsibility for attacks in 2018 and 2019 in southern Rwanda in which nine Rwandans died. Despite the accusations against Rusesabagina, his case has been widely seen as a crackdown on political opposition in Rwanda. The Rwandan government has denied any wrongdoing in his arrest and trial.
Rusesabagina's release has been celebrated by human rights groups and political figures, who have called for an investigation into his treatment and trial. The case has also drawn attention to the challenges facing political opposition and human rights defenders in Rwanda. Despite these challenges, Rusesabagina's family has expressed their gratitude for the support they received during his ordeal and their hope for a better future
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