A call for help

Posted: 16 December 2021

In Rwanda, E contacted Lawyers of Hope (LOH) by phone, on behalf of her nephew (S), who was detained in prison for his attempts to save a man from drowning. Her nephew, aged 19, was due to sit the National O Levels (the major end of year exams) in only four days´ time. Having visited the police office and prosecutor´s office in vain, E was told the police were intending to detain him until an unnamed witness could be found.

Through LOH, a lawyer was able to visit the police station to meet S and then the allocated prosecutor. The lawyer was able to give a personal guarantee that S would not "run away from justice" and negotiated the conditions on which S could be released.

After two days in prison, he was released two days before his exams started, and is very thankful for the support and prayers he received. S successfully passed his exams and is now continuing his studies. While the case is ongoing, LOH are confident that he will be completely exonerated.