Rwanda: Peter Erlinder file complete – says Police

By RNA Reporter
Monday, 31 May 2010

Kigali: The authorities and lawyers of detained American attorney Peter Erlinder are working on final details of when the case should come to court. But already, the family of the American professor is accusing the Police, RNA reports.

Sarah Erlinder, daughter of the arrested lawyer tells US media that the two attorneys who were allowed to visit her father on Saturday were denied access to him Sunday.

Calling it a troubling development, Sarah Erlinder, also an attorney, said the lawyers were barred from seeing her father a day after they had been granted a visit. Apparently, a Rwandan jail official "yelled" at jail employees who granted attorneys access on Saturday.

It seems that official could not be reached Saturday, Sarah Erlinder said, and could not block the visit. However, she said, the jail official was reachable Sunday -- and not very happy with the earlier visit. The official is not named.

Sarah Erlinder said the attorneys who visited her father -- one American and one Rwandan -- reported that he appeared to be in good health and in good spirits. That was a relief, she said, "because then we could concentrate on the larger issue of getting him out."

It is not clear if access to her father will continue to be blocked, she said.

Prof. Erlinder, 62, was in Rwanda to prepare for the defense of fierce government critic Victoire Ingabire against charges of promoting genocidal ideology and links to a terrorist group. He was arrested by the police Friday at 8:30am from the Laico Hotel.

A member of a lawyers' group calling for his release said Peter Erlinder may get a court date Monday.

Meanwhile, Police Spokesman Superintendent Eric Kayiranga told RNA Monday afternoon that the “file is complete”.

“There is work going on with his lawyers. So don’t worry you will be informed [of the hearing date],” he said.

Prosecution has not been available for comment.