KIGALI, Oct. 2 (Xinhua) -- A Rwandan court in the capital Kigali on Friday upheld a 30-day remand decision for Paul Rusesabagina, a former hotelier portrayed as a humanitarian in a film called "Hotel Rwanda."

Rusesabagina, 66, who is facing several charges include terrorism, had appealed against a decision by a lower court, on grounds of poor health and that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the pre-trial case and that he is a foreigner who had no direct control over operations of the rebel National Liberation Front.

"We find all the reasons submitted by the suspect in seeking release to stand trial while out of custody unconvincing," said Judge Adolph Udahemuka.

"The reasons submitted by the defense challenging the decision of the lower court were found to be baseless. Court dismisses the appeal and therefore the suspect should remain in custody," he added.

The judge added that Rusesabagina's claims to be a Belgian citizen and not Rwandan offered reasonable ground to believe "he is a flight risk."

The lower court had remanded him on Sept. 17.

Rusesabagina was made famous by "Hotel Rwanda," where he saved over 1,000 ethnic Tutsis during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi, which claimed over 1 million lives.

However, survivors and experts disputed the story. Enditem

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