https://sputnikglobe.com/20230325/rwanda-releases-activist-rusesabagina-from-prison---senior-us-administration-official-1108770780.html

Rwanda Releases Activist Rusesabagina From Prison – Senior US Administration Official

Sputnik International

Human rights activist Paul Rusesabagina, whose aid to refugees during the Rwandan Genocide inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda," has been released from prison after months of work by the Biden administration, a senior administration official told reporters.

2023-03-25T01:12+0000

2023-03-25T12:50+0000

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"The main message tonight is that we are gratified that Paul Rusesabagina has been released from prison in Rwanda," the senior administration official said on Friday. "We anticipate in coming days seeing him leave the country, initially for Qatar and then for the United States." Rusesabagina’s release was the culmination of months of work by US officials with Rwandan counterparts, including diplomatic engagements by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, the senior administration official said. The United States made clear to Rwanda that Rusesabagina's detention would remain a bilateral irritant until resolved, the official added. The official also said the US did not make any particular concessions as part of the deal. Rusesabagina worked as manager of the Hotel des Mille Collines, which sheltered hundreds of refugees during the Rwandan genocide, inspiring the Oscar-nominated film "Hotel Rwanda." Rusesabagina was arrested by Rwandan authorities in 2020 for alleged ties to rebel groups in the region and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2021. The US had maintained Rusesabagina’s innocence and classified him as wrongfully detained.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20220811/blinken-says-raised-concerns-over-unfair-trial-of-hotel-rwanda-hero-during-visit-1099487545.html

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Rwanda Releases Activist Rusesabagina From Prison – Senior US Administration Official

01:12 GMT 25.03.2023 (Updated: 12:50 GMT 25.03.2023)

© AP Photo / Muhizi OlivierFILE - Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda" and is credited with saving more than 1,000 people by sheltering them at the hotel he managed during the genocide, attends a court hearing in Kigali, Rwanda, Friday Feb. 26, 2021. Rwanda's government has commuted the sentence of Paul Rusesabagina was convicted of terrorism offenses years later in a widely criticized trial. Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told The Associated Press on Friday, March 24, 2023, that the 25-year sentence was commuted by presidential order after a request for clemency.

FILE - Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film Hotel Rwanda and is credited with saving more than 1,000 people by sheltering them at the hotel he managed during the genocide, attends a court hearing in Kigali, Rwanda, Friday Feb. 26, 2021. Rwanda's government has commuted the sentence of Paul Rusesabagina was convicted of terrorism offenses years later in a widely criticized trial. Government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo told The Associated Press on Friday, March 24, 2023, that the 25-year sentence was commuted by presidential order after a request for clemency. - Sputnik International, 1920, 25.03.2023

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Human rights activist Paul Rusesabagina, whose aid to refugees during the Rwandan Genocide inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda," has been released from prison after months of work by the Biden administration, a senior administration official told reporters.

Rusesabagina’s release was the culmination of months of work by US officials with Rwandan counterparts, including diplomatic engagements by Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan, the senior administration official said.

The United States made clear to Rwanda that Rusesabagina's detention would remain a bilateral irritant until resolved, the official added.

The official also said the US did not make any particular concessions as part of the deal.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 12: Paul Rusesabagina, whose life story is based on Hotel Rwanda arrives at the V-Life Oscar Party at Hillhaven Lodge on January 12, 2005 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Paul Rusesabagina (Photo by Frazer Harrison / Getty Images North America / Getty Images via AFP) - Sputnik International, 1920, 11.08.2022

Africa

Blinken Says Raised Concerns Over Unfair Trial of 'Hotel Rwanda' Hero During Visit

11 August 2022, 15:43 GMT

Rusesabagina worked as manager of the Hotel des Mille Collines, which sheltered hundreds of refugees during the Rwandan genocide, inspiring the Oscar-nominated film "Hotel Rwanda."

Rusesabagina was arrested by Rwandan authorities in 2020 for alleged ties to rebel groups in the region and sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2021. The US had maintained Rusesabagina’s innocence and classified him as wrongfully detained.