‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero was tricked onto plane, into arrest

“Myself, the pilot and cabin crew knew we were coming to (the Rwandan capital) Kigali. The only person who didn’t know where we were headed was Paul,” Niyomwungere stated.

The 66-year-old Rusesabagina, as soon as praised for saving lots of of ethnic Tutsis from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide whereas a lodge supervisor, now faces 9 fees together with the formation of an irregular armed group; membership in a terrorist group; financing terrorism; and homicide, abduction and armed theft as an act of terrorism.

If convicted, he might face greater than 20 years in jail.

The case of Rusesabagina, a Belgian citizen and U.S. resident and outspoken critic of longtime Rwandan President Paul Kagame, has drawn worldwide concern. He disappeared in August throughout a go to to Dubai and was paraded in handcuffs days later in Rwanda.

His household asserts that the fees in opposition to him are politically motivated. Rusesabagina asserts that he was kidnapped. Rwanda’s president had hinted that he had been tricked into boarding a flight to Rwanda, a rustic he left in 1996.

In courtroom on Friday, Rusesabagina denounced the pastor Niyomwungere, whom he has stated “betrayed” him.

Niyomwungere stated an unnamed particular person linked him and Rusesabagina in 2017 in Brussels and so they later grow to be buddies.

He stated that in a single dialog, Rusesabagina admitted that rebels backed by his opposition platform had been answerable for an assault inside Rwanda. The pastor alleged that Rusesabagina confirmed no regret, which pained him.

Niyomwungere stated final 12 months he began engaged on a plan with the Rwanda Investigation Bureau to seize Rusesabagina. “I prayed to God to give me courage and arrest this man. I prayed for a month,” he stated.

Opportunity got here when Rusesabagina stated he deliberate to journey to Burundi, which neighbors Rwanda. Niyomwungere stated he alerted the Rwanda Investigation Bureau contact.

Rwanda’s authorities has alleged that Rusesabagina was going to Burundi to coordinate with armed teams primarily based there and in neighboring Congo.

On Friday, Rusesabagina stated all his rights have been taken away and his worldwide attorneys have been refused. Last month, Rwanda’s lawyer basic in a video by chance despatched to al-Jazeera stated authorities had intercepted messages between Rusesabagina and his authorized crew.

“How can you say my rights have been respected when I spent the first three days of captivity at an unknown location, blindfolded, tied legs and hands?” he requested.

When the trial resumes on March 10, the courtroom will rule on whether or not Rusesabagina was kidnapped and is in Rwanda illegally. The courtroom earlier rejected his argument {that a} Rwandan courtroom can not attempt him as a result of he’s not a citizen.

His household says Rusesabagina has no likelihood at a good trial due to his outspoken criticism of Kagame and human rights abuses. They additionally concern he would possibly die from poor well being behind bars.

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