Family believes Hotel Rwanda film hero was kidnapped

By , K24 Digital
On Tue, 1 Sep, 2020 13:39 | < 1 min read
Hotel Rwanda
Paul Rusesabagina pictured in Rwanda after his arrest. PHOTO | Rwanda Investigation Bureau
Paul Rusesabagina pictured in Rwanda after his arrest. PHOTO | Rwanda Investigation Bureau

The daughter of Hotel Rwanda film hero Paul Rusesabagina, who was arrested on terror charges, has said the family hasn't heard from him.

Anaise Kanimba told the BBC's Newsday programme that the family last heard from him on Thursday when he called to say he had landed in Dubai.

Ms Kanimba said her father couldn't have travelled to Rwanda on his own will and they believe he was kidnapped.

Mr Rusesabagina is a well-known critic of President Paul Kagame and has been living outside Rwanda since 1996.

Ms Kanimba said her father has not sent out any message to them.

"That's the scariest part, we have not been in contact with him since Thursday as I said we've seen him in the news all day long but haven't heard from him," she said.

Ms Kanimba said her father put up a brave face when he was paraded on television after his arrest.

"I would say that he wanted to let us know that he was okay and staying strong," she said.