Rwanda: Paul Rusesabagina has been arrested

The founder of the ‘National Liberation Forces (FLN)’, an armed terrorist organisation under his Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD), Paul Rusesabagina, has been arrested for leading “terrorist movements”, officials say.

“He is currently detained at Remera Police Station while his case file is being processed in accordance with Rwandan criminal procedure,” Rwanda Investigation Bureau said on Monday.

RIB presented the high profile catch before the media in the capital Kigali. He arrived at the press venue aboard a detainee van. He finally disembarked from the van but in handcuffs clad in a clean suit and face masked.

In 2011, he was accused of funding subversion in Rwanda, but no charges were brought.

At the time, Mr Rusesabagina denied any wrongdoing and said there was a smear campaign against him.

He inspired a Hollywood film about the 1994 Rwandan genocide which became well known after Hotel Rwanda depicted his efforts to save hundreds of Tutsis at his hotel during the Rwandan genocide.

The 2004 film Hotel Rwanda told the story of how Mr Rusesabagina, a middle-class Hutu married to a Tutsi, used his influence – and bribes – to convince military officials to secure a safe escape for an estimated 1,200 people who sought shelter at the Mille Collines Hotel in Kigali.

Rwandan genocide survivors’ group Ibuka has in the past said that he exaggerated his own role in helping hotel refugees escape the 100-day slaughter.

He later launched an opposition party, which had an armed wing based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

About 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in the genocide.

Mr Rusesabagina, 66, was paraded by the authorities at a press conference in the capital, Kigali, after he was arrested under an international warrant.

He had been living in exile. The authorities did not say where he was arrested or give any further details about the accusations he faces.

 FLN  rebel leader, Callixte Nsabimana is also charged with kidnapping, spreading false information or propaganda aimed at undermining the Rwandan government abroad, denying genocide, armed robbery, arson, engaging with foreign nations with a view to waging war, and forgery, among others.

Notorious fugitive Paul Rusesabagina, a Rwandan wanted for a score of serious crimes has been finally arrested.

RIB said Rusesabagina was arrested “through international cooperation”.

Rusesabagina is theRwanda is currently holding and trying dozens of FLN members for war crimes and other violations committed on Rwandan territory including murder. Rusesabagina under the grip of the Rwandan hands will be very vital in the ongoing trial against FLN members.

For example, Calixte Nsabimana is defending himself against 16 counts, including terrorism, treason, forming of an illegal armed group, engaging in acts of terrorism for political gain, incitement to commit terrorism, and murder among other charges.