KIGALI – The Rwanda Investigations Bureau (RIB) has confirmed the arrest of Paul Rusesabagina, an opposition figure living in exile in Europe.
A source has told this Website that Mr. Rusesabagina was arrested in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital at the weekend.
RIB revealed on Monday, August 31, 2020 that Mr.Rusesabagina was arrested through international cooperation and is in their custody.
Rusesabagina is “suspected to be the founder, leader, sponsor and member of violent, armed, extremist terror outfits including MRCD and PDR-Ihumure, operating out of various places in the region and abroad,” said RIB.
Rusesabagina who was paraded before the media is currently detained at Remera Police Station while his case file is being processed in accordance with Rwandan criminal procedure.
According to RIB, the suspect has been subject of an International Arrest Warrant, “wanted to answer charges of serious crime including terrorism, arson, kidnap and murder, perpetrated against unarmed, innocent Rwandan civilians on Rwandan territory including in Nyabimata – Nyaruguru district in June 2018 and in Nyungwe – Nyamagabe district in December 2018.”
Rusesabagina was a humanitarian who, while working as a manager at the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, hid and protected 1,268 Hutu and Tutsi refugees from the Interahamwe militia during the Rwandan genocide.
None of these refugees were hurt or killed during the attacks.