Rwandan judge says no bail for US lawyer

Lawyer Blogs

A Rwandan judge Monday turned down a bail application by an American lawyer charged with denying Rwanda's 1994 genocide and publishing articles that threaten the country's security.

Peter Erlinder pleaded not guilty to the charges in court last Friday and asked to be granted bail so he could return home for medical treatment.

The U.S. lawyer is accused of violating Rwanda's laws against minimizing the genocide in which hundreds of thousands of Rwandans, the vast majority of them ethnic Tutsis, were massacred by extremist Hutus in 100 days. Erlinder doesn't deny massive violence happened but contends it's inaccurate to blame just one side.

"The medical report which Erlinder presented to court only shows that he was hospitalized twice but it does not convince court that his hospitalization was a result of detention," said Judge Maurice Mbishibishi

He said Erlinder will remain in detention for 30 days and can appeal the bail decision in five days time. His lawyers said they are going to appeal it immediately in Rwanda's High Court.

Related listings

  • Court sides with paper mill in Fox River cleanup

    Court sides with paper mill in Fox River cleanup

    Lawyer Blogs 06/09/2010

    A lawyer for Appleton Papers, Inc. says a court has ruled that two insurance companies will have to contribute $10 million toward the cleanup of the Fox River. Madison attorney Ron Ragatz says Tuesday's ruling by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals means ...

  • 400 Marijuana Dispensaries To Close In Los Angeles

    400 Marijuana Dispensaries To Close In Los Angeles

    Lawyer Blogs 06/07/2010

    Los Angeles is home to hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries, but concern over their proliferation has provoked a backlash. Police are cracking down on most of them starting Monday. A new city ordinance limits the number and locations of medical...

  • Lesbian couple weds in Portugal's 1st gay marriage

    Lesbian couple weds in Portugal's 1st gay marriage

    Lawyer Blogs 06/07/2010

    A lesbian couple wed Monday in Portugal's first same-sex ceremony since the predominantly Catholic country introduced a law allowing gay marriage last month.Teresa Pires and Helena Paixao, divorced Portuguese mothers in their 30s who have been togeth...

New York Commercial Litigation Law Firm - Woods Lonergan PLLC

Founded in 1993 by Managing Partner James F. Woods, Woods Lonergan PLLC has built a strong reputation as a resourceful and industrious firm that provides clients with clear, concise, and straightforward answers to their most challenging legal issues. Partner Lawrence R. Lonergan, who joined the firm in 2008, has been a friend and colleague to Mr. Woods for over 40 years and shares the same business philosophy. Woods Lonergan PLLC’s collective experience and expertise enables the firm to expeditiously and effectively analyze the increasing challenges clients face in an evolving business and legal world, in many instances, avoiding unnecessary time and expense to our clients. Our mission is simple: provide cutting-edge expertise and sound advice in select areas of the law for corporate and business clients. We thrive on providing each client with personalized attention, forceful representation, and a collaborative team effort that embraces collective knowledge.

Business News

New York & New Jersey Family Law Matters We represent our clients in all types of proceedings that include termination of parental rights. >> read