US Law Prof Peter Erlinder to Be Freed from Rwanda Jail on Bail
A law professor from the United States who has been held in a Rwandan jail since May will be released on bail because of concerns about his health. Peter Erlinder was granted bail today and will be permitted to return to the U.S., the Star Tribune reports.
Erlinder, who was in Rwanda to defend a presidential candidate, Victoire Ingabire, against charges of promoting genocidal ideology, was accused of violating a law there that prohibits denying genocide, grossly minimizing genocide, trying to justify genocide or destroying evidence concerning genocide. He has reportedly been hospitalized four times while he was being held in Rwanda.
Other defense attorneys have expressed concern that the Rwandan government’s pursuit of Erlinder puts lawyers at undue risk for simply doing their jobs.
Earlier coverage:
ABAJournal.com: “US Law Prof Imprisoned in Rwanda Over His Criminal Defense Work Is Now Hospitalized”
ABAJournal.com: “Art Imitates Life for California Lawyer and Legal Thriller Author”
