KIGALI, Rwanda — A court in Rwanda sentenced a Chinese businessman to 20 years in prison for torture after he was filmed beating a local man last year.
Sun Shujun had been accused of beating his workers in a case that drew attention because he was filmed whipping a man tethered to a pole on the ground.
A Rwandan man, Renzaho Alexis, was sentenced to 12 years for his alleged role as an accomplice in the beatings.
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The Chinese Embassy in Rwanda acknowledged Tuesday’s verdict in a statement Wednesday urging Chinese citizens living in Rwanda to abide by local laws.
“Meanwhile, the embassy calls for the case to be handled appropriately in a rational, fair and just manner and requests the legitimate rights of the Chinese citizens to be properly protected,” the statement said.
Sun’s victims are reported to have been former workers at a mine he operated in the rural district of Rutsiro. They had reportedly been accused of theft.
He was arrested after the video of him beating a man, including on the head, was widely shared in August. He was later released on bail.
Rwanda courts spokesman Harrison Mutabazi said the convict has a right to appeal to a higher court.