‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero denied another bail, ordered to stand trial

A court in Kigali has denied bail to Paul Rusesabagina, the polarising hero of the movie Hotel Rwanda, ordering he remains in custody to stand trial for serious charges, including terrorism. Rusesabagina, whose actions during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide inspired the 2004 Oscar-nominated film, had been living in exile for years and became a high-profile government critic. But in August, he suddenly appeared in Kigali under arrest under murky circumstances, with his family alleging he was kidnapped abroad and brought back to Rwanda. He must answer to 13 charges including terrorism, financing and founding armed groups, murder, arson and conspiracy to involve children in armed groups. The 66-year-old had already been denied bail in a lower court but he appealed the decision, citing poor health. However, Judge Adolphe Udahemuka said Rusesabagina was receiving fine medical care in Rwanda and deemed he was a flight risk as he holds Belgian citizenship. Rusesabagina’s lawyer, Emeline Nyembo, said they would begin preparing his legal defence. “Unfortunately we can’t appeal this ruling. We will continue pushing for his release but now we prepare for the substantive phase of the trial,” Nyembo told reporters after the ruling. style="width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute; top: 0; bottom: 0; right: 0; left: 0;">