Paul Rusesabagina, a former hotel manager portrayed as a hero in the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda, has been released from prison in Kigali after having his sentence commuted.
His sentence was commuted by the country’s President Paul Kagame following his request for clemency, after he was sentenced to 25 years for terrorism by a Rwandan court two years ago in what supporters called a sham trial.
“Commutation of sentence does not extinguish the underlying conviction,” said Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo on Friday.
“Rwanda notes the constructive role of the US government in creating conditions for dialogue on this issue, as well as the facilitation provided by the State of Qatar,” she added.
READ ALSO: Rwanda court finds ‘Hotel Rwanda’ hero guilty in ‘terrorism’ case
Rusesabagina was arrested by Rwandan authorities while he was carrying out international travel in 2020 in what his family has claimed was a kidnapping.
68-year-old Rusesabagina is credited with saving some 1,200 people during the 1994 genocide.
US President Joe Biden called the news of his release a “happy outcome”.
“Paul’s family is eager to welcome him back to the United States, and I share their joy at today’s good news,” he said in a statement.
