The case has had a high profile since Rusesabagina, 67, was arrested in August 2020 after what he described as a kidnapping from Dubai by Rwandan authorities. 

He was accused of supporting an armed wing of his opposition political platform, the Rwandan Movement for Democratic Change. The group had claimed some responsibility for attacks in 2018 and 2019 in the south of the country in which nine Rwandans died.  

“He founded a terrorist organisation that attacked Rwanda, he financially contributed to terrorist activities,” Justice Beatrice Mukamurenzi said of Rusesabagina. 

‘Show trial’

Since being portrayed by actor Don Cheadle as the hero of the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda, Rusesabagina – based in the United States – emerged as a prominent critic of President Paul Kagame. 

Author Michela Wrong, who recently published a book on Rwanda, told Al Jazeera the verdict was clearly a message to the opposition.

“This seems like a show trial, which is really aimed at silencing dissent, making sure that anyone standing up, criticising and challenging Kagame is simply will not be allowed to do that,” she said.

“The verdict is making clear to people who are in the diaspora and criticising Kagame that the government can get them wherever they are.”

Rusesabagina was targeted for challenging Kagame’s government for years, said Wrong.  

A Belgian citizen and US resident, Rusesabagina was awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom for his efforts during the genocide. 

Rusesabagina denied all charges against him, while his supporters described the trial as proof of Kagame’s ruthless treatment of political opponents.

The Rwandan government had said Rusesabagina would get a fair trial, but it has drawn international concern. In December, 36 US senators wrote to Kagame, urging him to release Rusesabagina. 

‘Enforced disappearance’

Prosecutors had sought a life sentence on nine charges, including “terrorism”, arson, taking hostages, and forming an armed rebel group that he directed from abroad.

Rusesabagina became a global celebrity after the Hollywood film, which depicted him risking his life to shelter hundreds as the manager of a luxury hotel in the Rwandan capital, Kigali, during the 100-day genocide when ethnic Hutus killed more than 800,000 people, mostly from the Tutsi minority.

Cheadle was nominated for an Oscar for the role. Rusesabagina used his fame to highlight what he described as rights violations by the government of Kagame, a Tutsi rebel commander who took power after his forces captured Kigali and halted the genocide. 

Rusesabagina’s trial began in February, six months after he arrived in Kigali on a flight from Dubai.

His supporters say he was kidnapped. The Rwandan government suggested he was tricked into boarding a private plane.

Human Rights Watch said at the time his arrest amounted to an “enforced disappearance”, which it called a serious violation of international law.

Rusesabagina said he was gagged and tortured before he was jailed, but Rwandan authorities denied it.  SOURCE: AL JAZEERA AND NEWS AGENCIES