Texas court orders extradition of Prince Kid to Rwanda
A court in Texas has ruled that Ishimwe Dieudonné, popularly known as Prince Kid, be extradited to Rwanda to serve his prison sentence, following his arrest in the United States after months on the run.
The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, November 20, came after Prince Kid argued for asylum, claiming his life would be in danger if he was returned to Rwanda. He told the court he had fallen out with powerful individuals during his time organizing the Miss Rwanda pageant, alleging that these disputes led to the charges brought against him.
His wife, Miss Elsa, appeared in court and defended him, insisting the accusations were fabricated. She said she had attempted to gather evidence proving his innocence but was arrested in Rwanda before she could complete the process.
Despite these testimonies, the judge concluded that Rwanda had presented valid grounds for extradition. However, the court granted Prince Kid 30 days to file an appeal before the extradition process can proceed.
According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Prince Kid was apprehended on March 3, 2025, in Fort Worth, Texas. ICE said he had been living in the city unlawfully, although he initially entered the United States legally. His arrest followed an international warrant issued by Rwandan prosecutors on October 29, 2024.
He is currently being held in an ICE detention facility while officials await any further legal developments.
Prince Kid’s case stems from an October 2023 verdict by the High Court in Rwanda, which sentenced him to five years in prison after finding him guilty of rape and sexual assault-related offenses. Although the charges carried a potential 16-year sentence, the court reduced it to five, citing his status as a first-time offender. He was also ordered to pay a fine of two million Rwandan francs.
Neither Prince Kid nor his legal representatives were present in court when the verdict was delivered, though the prosecution was represented.
If his appeal in the United States fails, Prince Kid will be returned to Rwanda to serve the remainder of his sentence.
