Rwanda Deports Belgian Lawyer Representing ‘Hotel Rwanda Hero’

Rwanda has deported a Belgian lawyer representing Paul Rusesabagina – an ex-hotelier whose story inspired the film Hotel Rwanda, based on the country’s 1994 genocide.

Authorities in the country said that Vincent Lurquin was deported on Saturday for working without a permit.

Earlier he had appeared in court to represent Mr Rusesabagina, who is accused of nine terrorism-related charges, including forming and funding an armed rebel group.

Mr Lurquin is Mr Rusesabagina’s lawyer in Belgium and has not been defending him during the trial, reports the AFP news agency.

He has not commented on his deportation.

Regis Gatarayiha, Rwanda’s director general of immigration, told Reuters news agency that Mr Lurquin was in the country on a visitor’s visa, and had not been accredited by the Rwandan Bar Association.

Mr Rusesabagina, 66, became famous after Don Cheadle played him in the 2004 film Hotel Rwanda, which depicts his efforts to save hundreds of people from being murdered during the 1994 genocide.

He left Rwanda in 1996 and sought asylum in Belgium, and later the US. While living in exile, he became the leader of Rwanda’s opposition MRCD group. It has an armed wing, the FLN, which stages attacks in Rwanda.

Mr Rusesabagina has denied the charges against him, and has accused the government of kidnapping him and bringing him back to Rwanda.

The authorities say he was arrested under an international warrant.

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