This archive report was first published on 17 September 2021.
On September 20, 2021, a judge in Kigali will deliver a verdict in the trial of Paul Rusesabagina, a Rwandan opposition leader and inspiration for the film Hotel Rwanda.
After a seven-month trial, Rusesabagina, who has boycotted the proceedings, will face a verdict on nine terrorism-related charges.
Prosecutors are seeking a life sentence for Rusesabagina, who has denied involvement in rebel attacks that killed nine people in southern Rwanda between 2018 and 2019.
He is charged alongside 20 other members of the FLN rebel group, which he founded through the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change (MRCD).
His supporters have accused the Rwandan government of kidnapping Rusesabagina, a stern critic of President Paul Kagame, while his opponents point to his role in the rebel attacks.
One of his international lawyers, Vincent Lurquin, was deported to Belgium last month for working without a permit after appearing in a Kigali court as one of Rusesabagina's lawyers.
Local media outlets have produced detailed excerpts of prosecution evidence linking Rusesabagina to funding and soliciting for weapons for the FLN rebels.
His family has protested the reports, accusing local media of being pro-government.
"Why is the Rwandan social media troll army and the KT Press, a pro-government media outlet, trying to relitigate and bring in “new” evidence now that the Show Trial of Paul Rusesabagina is over and we are waiting for a verdict on September 20," said a press release issued by his family.
"It is now clear that there was no credible evidence linking Paul or his MRCD party to the alleged attacks he is charged with committing. The government put up only two witnesses, neither of whom testified about the attacks."
