May 26, 2010
Last month, Mr. Erlinder filed a suit in the US state of Oklahoma for ex-First Lady Agathe Habyarimana and her Burundian counterpart over the alleged assassination of their husbands. They want President Kagame to be held responsible, but government has previously dismissed the accusations.
Prof. Erlinder is also the lead defense attorney in the Military I trial at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda which includes ex-army officers. Top among them is Col Theoneste Bagosora – who prosecutors have branded as the brain behind the Tutsi mass slaughter.
Considering the strong views Mr. Erlinder holds on several issues concerning Rwanda, it would seem he cannot be allowed to enter the borders of the country. But the Immigration and Emigration Directorate tells RNA there is no reason for the controversial lawyer to be refused entry.
“As far as this specific case is concerned, we have no reason to deny him from coming to Rwanda,” said Mr. Innocent Niyonsenga, Communications Director with the immigration department. “We do not refuse people from entering the country based on their views. It is a decision taken based on tangible reasons.”
Prof Erlinder is also benefiting from an existing agreement between the United States and Rwanda which allows American citizens to come to Rwanda without a pre-acquired visa. Americans can come and stay in Rwanda for three months with just a stamp got at the first point of entry, according to the agreement.
But Mr. Niyonsenga said that is not a guarantee for undesirable individuals from the United States and other countries with which Rwanda has similar arrangements, to just come into the country.
“When you are not allowed on the territory of Rwanda, we cannot accept you in even if you are from countries whose citizens do not need a visa,” said Niyonsenga.
Former Human Rights Watch Africa specialist Dr. Alison Des Forges (RIP) was declared ‘persona non grata’ in Rwanda after being sent back from the Kigali airport. The American fierce government critic was told she is not wanted in Rwanda.
Nationals of Canada and Britain do not also need visa to come to Rwanda if they are staying for less than three months.
For Prof. Erlinder, several government officials would prefer not to meet him. He is the attorney for the country’s most wanted criminals.
Ex-First Lady Agathe Kanziga Habyarimana is wanted in Rwanda for Genocide, but has lived in Paris since 1994.
Ingabire Victoire, the latest client to the American criminal lawyer, is out on bail on a charge sheet including links to the FDLR rebels, negating the Tutsi Genocide and promoting ethnic divisionism.
In a wide-ranging interview with a Ugandan newspaper this week, President Kagame says Ingabire is charged with ten counts. He said that as indicative of how serious the crimes are and the overwhelming evidence against her, Ingabire has admitted to seven counts.
As for Col Theoneste Bagosora, a government commissioned investigations into the assassination of former President Juvenal Habyarimana found him directly responsible, in addition to collaborating with Agathe Habyarimana to plan the Tutsi mass slaughter.
Prof. Erlinder arrived in the country on Sunday, according to people speaking for Ingabire. It not clear when the trail will start.
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