Paul Rusesabagina, who was portrayed as a hero in the film "Hotel Rwanda," was released from a Rwandan prison on Friday, U.S. officials said, after his sentence was commuted following intense diplomacy by the United States.

Paul Rusesabagina, who was portrayed as a hero in the Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda and was serving a 25-year sentence in the country on “terrorism” charges, has been freed from prison after having his sentence commuted by presidential order.

Rwanda's government has commuted the 25-year sentence of Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the film "Hotel Rwanda" for saving hundreds of countrymen from genocide but was convicted of terrorism offenses years later in a widely criticized trial.

LONDON -- The Rwandan government announced Friday that Paul Rusesabagina, who inspired the acclaimed 2004 film "Hotel Rwanda," will be released from prison nearly three years after he was captured and detained.

The man who was celebrated as a hero in the movie Hotel Rwanda for saving lives during the Rwanda genocide is about to be released from prison. Rwanda's government has commuted the sentence against Paul Rusesabagina.