Erlinder still in hospital hours before bail verdict, say lawyers

By Adam Hooper
Rwanda News Agency
June 17, 2010

Kigali: Imprisoned American lawyer Peter Erlinder is still in hospital hours before the High Court judge is scheduled to tell him whether or not he can return to the United States, according to his legal team.

Erlinder was admitted to King Faisal hospital in Kigali Tuesday night for the fourth time since Rwandan police arrested him 20 days ago. His lawyer, Ken Ogetto, explained by email that he was experiencing very high blood pressure.

The National Police could not be reached for comment on Erlinder's condition.

Erlinder has been accused by Rwandan authorities of Genocide denial, a charge he denies. He was denied bail in the intermediate court on June 7 but appealed the decision in high court this Monday, June 14, saying his health conditions must be treated in America and that he will return to face Rwanda's courts if he is released.

The prosecution argued that Erlinder is too much of a threat to Rwanda's national security to be allowed to leave the country, even temporarily.

The judge is scheduled to pronounce whether Erlinder will be granted bail this afternoon at 3 p.m., but it is unclear what will happen if Erlinder is unfit to attend.

"His defence team will be in court in the afternoon," Ogetto wrote this morning, "and it will be up to the court to decide whether or not to proceed in his absence."