Kegali,  Rwanda -  New reports from Kagame led-government claim that Professor Erlinder tries to commit suicide in his Cell after having overdose bills. Rwandan News Agency reports “Under intense interrogation from detectives, detained American Prof. Peter Erlinder swallowed up to 50 tablets meant to treat hypertension and other medical conditions – which the Police now says is also another crime”

Attorney Peter Erlinder went to Rwanda as a defense lawyer to represent his client, opposition presidential candidate Madame Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, who had a hearing date on May 24,  but ended up fighting for his life after Kagama government arrested him last Friday from his hotel.  The Prosecutor General said he is being charged“ Promoting Genocide”which carries up to 25 years in prison.  

Enlinder arrived in Rwanda from Bruxelles where he attended Second International Criminal Defense Conference. The Conference in which attended by Paul Rusesabagina of the Hotel Rwanda, Chief Charles Taku, Andre Tremblayand more than one-hundred jurists, individuals and groups, who said they are  concerned with achieving peace and reconciliation in Rwanda and Central Africa in their  meeting in Bruxelles May 21-23.

Elinder who communicated with the African News Journal on his way to Europe, via his Ipod, said  “Kagame's power depends on military-control, will he give it up if he loses an election?  My guess is that he cannot take the risk of another Ndadaye situation.”When asked on his opinion the if Kagame will allow elections, Elindar said “   Whether he "permits" the election or not, his regime is being exposed for the military dictatorship it has always been....but if he has to kill thousands to stay in power, there is already a well-established pattern that he is willing to do so.

Erlinder said “Kagame has always depended upon Pentagon/US support...which international bodies are willing to take-on the Pentagon, Clinton's State Dept and Pres Obama?  When Kagame becomes the same kind of embarrassment that Mobutu became, he will be deposed....one hopes peacefull”

In Minnesota, the Advocates for Human Rights expresses grave concerns about arrest and detention of attorney Peter Erlinder by the Government of Rwanda & calls for his immediate release.  Erlinder, a professor of law at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, was arrested by Rwandan police on May 28 after arriving in the country as part of the legal defense team of opposition leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza. Both Ingabire and Erlinder face charges of promoting “genocide ideology,” a crime under Rwandan law.
“We have called upon the Government of Rwanda for the release of Professor Erlinder,” says Robin Phillips, executive director of 
The Advocates for Human Rights in a press release sent to the African News Journal.
“The Advocates is gravely concerned that the Government of Rwanda appears to be using its genocide ideology law to silence both members of the political opposition and the attorneys seeking to ensure a fair trial for the accused.”
The advocates added that the arrests of Ingabire and Erlinder come in the context of an apparent government crackdown on political opposition prior to the upcoming presidential election in August 2010. Rwanda has banned two newspapers from operating until after the election, charging that they had insulted the president an attempted to foment insubordination in the military. The Rwandan government recently denied a visa to a Human Rights Watch researcher who had been working in Rwanda and has denounced criticism by human rights organizations and the U.S. Government.

“Rwandan law criminalizes any act considered to promote “genocide ideology.” The broad provisions of the Rwandan genocide ideology law prohibit speech protected by international human rights law including “marginalizing, laughing at one’s misfortune, defaming, mocking, boasting, despising, degrading, creating confusion aiming at negating the genocide which occurred, stirring up ill feelings, taking revenge, altering testimony or evidence for the genocide which occurred.” Those convicted face sentences of imprisonment of up to twenty-five years and fines of up to 1,000,000 Rwandan francs.” Advocates said.

Members of his relative including Peter’s wife Masako Usui and doughter, Sarah Erlinder are expected to travel today Washington DC to meet Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and other officials from the State Department to ask them help his immediate release.
Congressman Keith Ellison & Senator Ami Klobuchor are also calling Professor’s release. 
Minneapolis based, Legal Aid Attorney and a friend of Erlinder, Hasan Jamici, said  “ Erlinder went to Kigali  to defend his client, that is all, he does not have a separate agenda, purely and simple, so if, Kagame thinks that is a crime, he is making a big mistake.”