World awaits verdict in trial of 'Hotel Rwanda' hero Paul Rusesabagina
ABC News
A Rwandan judge is set to deliver a verdict on Monday in the closely-watched trial of Paul Rusesabagina, the former hotelier who inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda."
LONDON -- After spending more than a year behind bars, the man who inspired the acclaimed 2004 film "Hotel Rwanda" is due to learn his fate.
A Rwandan judge is set to deliver a verdict on Monday in the closely watched trial of former hotelier Paul Rusesabagina and 20 co-defendants, who are accused of terrorism-related offenses. A decision in the high-profile case was expected a month ago but was postponed, with no reason given for the delay.
Rusesabagina, who was tried on 13 charges including murder and financing terrorism, could face 25 years to life in prison if convicted. He has maintained his innocence, while his family and attorneys have condemned the trial as a "sham."
"We are happy that the charade of the trial is ending," the Rusesabagina family told ABC News in a statement ahead of the verdict. "We assume they will finish the sham by finding him guilty on Monday. We have told the world over and over that there is no fair trial process in Rwanda, and the past months have shown that. There is no independent judiciary, and there will be no justice for our father. All we can do now is make this clear to everyone -- a dictator will be jailing a humanitarian."