Law Prof Peter Erlinder Arrested in Kigali

William Mitchell Law Prof Peter Erlinder has been arrested in Kigali on charges of denying the Rwandan genocide.  Erlinder is well known for defense work at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, and was in Kigali representing Victoire Ingabire, a leading opposition candidate herself targeted by Rwandan authorities after she claimed that crimes committed against Hutus during the 1994 genocide were deliberately overlooked.

Here's a fitting excerpt of the statement released by William Mitchell:

William Mitchell has a 110-year history of legal education that is engaged with the legal profession, and we support and encourage the legal pursuits of our faculty beyond the college. Prof. Erlinder is in Rwanda to represent Victoire Ingabire, an opposition candidate for President of Rwanda who was arrested over accusations of promoting genocide ideology. In traveling to Rwanda, Prof. Erlinder exemplifies the great tradition of lawyers who take on the representation of unpopular clients and causes. That Prof. Erlinder did so at great personal risk demonstrates the strength of his commitment to justice and due process. We support his commitment to justice, the rule of law, and public service, which are the core of the lawyer’s function in society and values Prof. Erlinder works to instill in the students he teaches at William Mitchell.

-Kathleen Bergin