Kagame Frees "Hotel Rwanda" Hero

Rwanda President, Paul Kagame, has released from prison, one of his fiercely outspoken critic, Paul Rusesabagina.

Rusesabagina, whose humane efforts to save fellow Rwandese durng the 1994 genocide inspired the Hollywood film “Hotel Rwanda”, was released late Friday after spending close to thee years of his 25-year sentence behind bars.

The 69 year Rusesabagina reportedly arrived at the Qatari Ambassador's residence in Kigali shortly before midnight on Friday.

A US embassy official also disclosed that he is likely stay at the Qatari Ammbasador's residence for “a couple of days” before flying to Qatar from where he will proceed to the United States.

The Kagame administration accused him of backing an armed rebel group in September 2021. He was subsequently tried and convicted in a trial his supporters labeled and waved off as a sham. 

Rusesabagina, who holds a permanent US residency as well as being a Belgian citizen, was according to his family, tortured while serving his term in the prison. He is also said to be battling with failing health and is expected to return to the US soon.