BBC
June 11, 2007
A court in Ethiopia has found 38 senior opposition figures guilty of charges connected to mass protests after disputed elections two years ago.
The charges ranged from armed rebellion to “outrage against the constitution”.
Sentencing is next month and they could face the death penalty, says the BBC’s Elizabeth Blunt in Ethiopia.
Hundreds of thousands took part in demonstrations complaining of fraud and vote-rigging by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s government in the 2005 polls.
Almost 200 people died in two waves of protests.
The opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy blamed the deaths on the security forces but Mr Meles accused the opposition of starting the violent protests.
His government also points out that it introduced multi-party elections to Ethiopia after years of military rule.
In the elections, the opposition made huge gains but says it was cheated out of victory.
Two months ago a judge threw out controversial charges of attempted genocide and treason against 111 people arrested after the election protests.
The violence and the charges of election fraud have tarnished Mr Meles’ image as a favourite of Western donors and one of a new wave of reforming African leaders.
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Other sources:
The 38 members of the Coalition for Union and Democracy (CUD) were all convicted of breaching Ethiopia’s constitution, after a trial that they refused to recognize and where they opted not to defend themselves.
Twenty-two were also found guilty of obstructing the exercise of the constitution; five were convicted of coordinating, leading, and encouraging armed violence against the government; and 10 were found guilty of endangering the country’s defense.
“The court obliged the defendants to defend themselves, but they have failed to do so,” said judge Adil Ahmed, adding that sentencing would be carried out July 8.
Verdicts were scheduled for June 18 in the cases of an additional 12 accused who were represented in court by defense lawyers.
The Ethiopian government has regularly accused the CUD of fomenting violence and plotting its overthrow since elections in May 2005, which the opposition alleges were riddled with fraud.
At least 193 civilians and six police officers died in the capital Addis Ababa during post-election violence in June and November 2005.
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AP – June 11, 2007 – An Ethiopian court convicted 39 opposition leaders and others Monday in connection with election violence after a trial that earned condemnation from human rights activists.
They will be sentenced on July 8, said Judge Adil Ahmed, after convicting the 39 because they failed to put up a defense. The charges included “instigating and organizing rebellion against the government” and “outrages against the constitutional order.”
The Federal High Court trial began in December 2005 following postelection violence that erupted during protests over polls six months earlier.
The opposition won an unprecedented number of parliamentary seats, but Prime Minister Meles Zenawi held onto power. The opposition claimed the vote was rigged, and EU observers said the polls were marred by irregularities.
Initially, the opposition leaders, journalists and others were charged with treason, inciting violence and attempted genocide. Ahmed dropped the treason and attempted genocide charges in April. Later that month, the court freed 25 prisoners, among them eight journalists.
Since April, a total of 48 people faced four other charges, but only nine chose to put a defense, the judge said on Monday.
The trial has been widely condemned by international human rights groups as an attempt to silence Ethiopian government critics. The opposition leaders have claimed the trial is politically motivated.
Late last year, Ethiopia acknowledged that its security forces killed 193 civilians protesting alleged election fraud, but insisted they did not use excessive force. A senior judge appointed to investigate the violence had accused the security forces of excessive force.
18 thoughts on “Ethiopia: Kangaroo court convicts Ethiopian opposition leaders”
As long as TPLF gangs based in Tigry to rule Ethiopia with horrible crime are there, the verdict was 100% expected to be this way. TPLF Letting the elected leaders go free means, TPLF gangs are taking responsibility for the massacre by themselves as the investigation commission assigned by Meles found Meles and his gang Guilty. So, it is another unbelievable but expected crimes Tigre representatives are doing against Innocent Ethiopians. They even told us openly that they are Enemies to Ethiopia as far as waging war against Ethiopia. What do you expect from these kinds of inhuman that are already lost the truck what to do about anything?
Internet hero Diasporas need to change their attitude from lots of talk to practical action. Ethiopia needs no talk but action. Ethiopia need no the animal type of politic but evil once which TPLF fierce the most.
There are two parallel duties we have to intensify with action.
1. capable and determine Armed struggle which is the language murderer woyane gangs do understand very well. Little talk but much action is needed here. Create a good relationship with neighbouring countries mainly with Eritrea and Sudan. Stop concentrating in Addis but other areas targeting those hodam TPLF servants, TPLF members, supporters and their companies need to be targets. From Gonder to Diredawa, to Nazreth, awassa, Desse, assos and including small towns all over the country TPLF are controlling many business branches. Local people are serving them, and first it is needed to advice these local people to stop supporting TPLF gangs and instead they need to be part of the Ethiopian people struggle. If they don’t listen, then you know what follows. EPPF and other groups those believe in one and united Ethiopia need to work closely and openly together against their evil common enemy, TPLF.
2. Diplomatic is also very important. We need to see active roles from opposition in UN, US, EU and countries in the region confronting them with facts much of them are there including sebhat nega
Dear all:
This is a sad day for Ethiopia. Kinijit elected and popular leaders of Ethiopia have been asking for peace and dialog even from Kaliti prison. They were put in jail for sins they have not committed. They were accused of violence for preaching non-violent and peaceful struggle. They are held accountable for the death of civilians by those who pulled the triggered and physically killed our brothers and sisters.
Even in jail, Kinijit leaders were not operating in a mode of vengeance and hate. They were ready to forgive and start a new beginning in Ethiopia with the ruling party. They were ready to make peace. They compromised a lot for the sake of peace. They agreed to let Meles rule until 2010, as long as democratic principles are respected.
Kinijit leaders do not hate the WEYANES for they consider their jailers as one of their own: Ethiopians. They believe that the EPRDF has to be also part of the solution.
HOWEVER THE WEYANE RULERS HAVE SHOWN THAT THEY ARE DEVIL INCARNATES. THEY HAVE SHOWN THAT THE ONLY POLITICS THEY KNOW IS A POLITICS OF HATE.
The founder of TPLF Ato Sebhat Nega said:” KINIJIT is the ENEMY”. They call them
This is a continuation of my prior comment. It was truncated.
The founder of TPLF Ato Sebhat Nega said:” KINIJIT is the ENEMY”. They call them
The first ever ethnic cleansing in Africa was committed by Id amin of Uganda against the south Asians. But all of them went to Britain with agreement.
The second and third worst Ethnic cleansing in African History ever is committed by TPLF against Ethiopians with Eritrean Origin and the amharas from wolkite-Tegede and other places.
The estimated 60-80 thousands Ethiopians with Eritrean origin were inhumanly deported from their country (Ethiopia) by TPLF, leaving everything behind that all taken by TPLF members and their supporters with Tigay origin. Yet Sebhat and the rest in the TPLF are saying they love and care the Eritrean people. Funny.
It is time those inhumanly deported Ethiopians with Eritrean origin to come out and join the struggle with Ethiopian people against the TPLF criminal rule. They need to influence the relationship between Eritrean GOVT and Ethiopian oppositions and also they need to pay any sacrifice to their country, Ethiopia. we are now in a position now or never as TPLF gangs are cracking and shaking from fear coming towards them from all direction.
Tiru sew,
I agree with most of your opinions.Yes the so called peaceful struggle alone won’t bring us freedom from this brutal and ruthless dictatorial animal government.
I think we have to combine the peaceful struggle with decisive and wisely conducted armed struggle wherever it would be possible! With the diplomacy concerning our neighbors you have mentioned also I agree. but when it comes to Eritrea we have to be careful not to be used once more by Shaebia! My advise is – while we should build good relations with the people of Eritrea and in the long run we could peacefully resolve our problems like “the Assab port”,”the Afar question”… we have always to exclude the pathological enemy of Ethiopia which is “Shaebia”! Shaebias policy has always been “the destruction of Ethiopia by all meanse” and so no compromise with “Shaebia” Our Nr. one policy should be exclude shaebia out of us! The fight should be with “Shaebia” not the Eritrean people, “Weyane” not the Tigrean people! I think we have also to differentiate among Weyanes: “Weyane-Shaebia clique, and Weyane-who believe in the unity of Ethiopia. From the Weyanes who believe in one united Ethiopia we expect the hunt down of the foe – the Melese clique. But that doesn’t mean that anybody who committed atrocities should live without impunity. We have to forward the struggle from every direction!
Ethiopia should prevail!
Tiru sew I agree with most of your opinions. Yes the so called peaceful struggle alone won’t bring us freedom from this brutal and ruthless dictatorial animal government.
I think we have to combine the peaceful struggle with decisive and wisely conducted armed struggle wherever it would be possible! With the diplomacy concerning our neighbors you have mentioned also I agree. but when it comes to Eritrea we have to be careful not to be used once more by Shaebia! My advise is – while we should build good relations with the people of Eritrea and in the long run we could peacefully resolve our problems like “the Assab port”,”the Afar question”… we have always to exclude the pathological enemy of Ethiopia which is “Shaebia”! Shaebias policy has always been “the destruction of Ethiopia by all meanse” and so no compromise with “Shaebia” Our Nr. one policy should be exclude shaebia out of us! The fight should be with “Shaebia” not the Eritrean people, “Weyane” not the Tigrean people! I think we have also to differentiate among Weyanes: “Weyane-Shaebia clique, and Weyane-who believe in the unity of Ethiopia. From the Weyanes who believe in one united Ethiopia we expect the hunt down of the foe – the Melese clique. But that doesn’t mean that anybody who committed atrocities should live without impunity. We have to forward the struggle from every direction!
Ethiopia should prevail!
Tirusew I could not agree with you more. Enough talk and regurgetating. You are absolutely right. We need to all unite under one. Kinijit is whom they fear the most so we should all unite under Kinijit. Help support the organization at a grass roots level.
Heroes of Ethiopia in Diaspora start with your family and friends. Mobilize and then move up. Speak to them help them understand that politics runs the world.
I am tired of all who say “ebakachuh politica men yeseral.. ye poletica wure akum etc..” including my own family members.
Please for the sake of our country support a united and free Ethiopia. Kinijit is a peaceful movement but as you know there is alos EPPF a totally and separate movement that is also needed.
They (Woyanne’s) didnt get here by just talking so mobilize and support. Stop all the talking UNLESSS YOU WILL HAVE NO COUNTRY TO GO BACK TO. FORGET ABOUT THE MILLENIUM CELEBRATION.
Our forefathers blood must mean something. they didnt die for nothing. I IMPLORE YOU ALL TO UNITE.
GOD BLESS ETHIOPIA AND GOD BLESS HER PEOPLE. GOD WILL ONLY HELP US IF WE HELP OURSELVES. PRAYER WITHOUT ACTIONS RESULTS IN NOTHING
THAnk YOU
YENENEH
The EPPF has the right idea, so does the OLF and others on the ground confronting woyanes. We in the diaspora must support their efforts through fund raising and political support. We must also engage in discussions and dialogue on democracy. I believe we should also abandon the anti Eritrea rhetoric and deal with our neighbors in respectful and conciliatory manor. Not only because we need their support during our difficult times but also to build the grounds for peaceful coexistance.
YES at last OLD CHAUVINIST GUARDS + the mislead Berhanu Nega cliq failed to DEFEND themselves
Their ballons were up when they based themselves out of the reaslity of Ethiopian Politics and they did teach us a lot on how to DO POLITICS (MOK MOK) and FAIL
I do agree with the verdict but let me tell you one thing there will not be any death penality — After All – ALL ARE DEAD
I think that the woyane nazi/fascist cangaroo court could do anything and would take any aktion against the Ethiopians is excepted. The TPLF banda leader has already declared war against Ethiopia and her people.
He showed that through different ways, but Ethiopians had difficulty in understanding it.He told the Ethiopians that he occupied the country by means of weopons and that he would never give up free without gun. He meant it.
Democracy, peace and wealth do not grow on trees. We Ethiopians have to fight for it like others. We have to learn from the Palestinians, Iraqis ……We Ethiopians are not indifferent. To liberate us and our country we have to fight by any means at any cost. Otherwise Ethiopia is not going to exist.
We shall diminnish cowards. We have to repeat what our grandfathers did against the foreign invaders and the bandas.meles zenawi is the son of a banda.
KD
Tirusew, Wegeshaw, Malu Salgo and etc.
It is not going to take us long how Ethiopians are going to reacts on the “Kangaroo court`s” verdict, not the diaspora.
If those “leaders” were Ethiopian`s leaders, the real Ethiopians back at home will act against the verdict accordingly. Don`t tell me that there is the Weyane`s gun behind those Ethiopians. There was the Derg`s tank behind Ethiopians. It was not the Engineers, Doctors and the Professors who fought against Derg. It was Ethiopians. Everybody knows where those “intellectuals” were at that time and what they were doing.
Weather arm struggle, peaceful struggle or struggle against poverty…what so ever…the decision is Ethiopians leaving in Ethiopia. Like they did against the Derg.
But Ethiopians never reacted when their “leaders” were arrested. So i don`t even think they will do so know after the verdict.
I can`t imagine the majority Ethiopians raising their arms b/c Hailu Showel is in Jail. I don`t even think they have ever heard of him.
Unfortunate !!
There has not been anything and may not there be any in the future that was hated so much by the Ethiopian people like the weyanes (= modern mafia) of our time. These cold-blooded murderers are back on track to hunt out all they think are CUD supporters throughout the country since the aftermath of the election in 2005. Now, the long awaited verdict by the parasite weyanes against the true leaders of the Ethiopian people has come. The verdict was not expected otherwise. What is more disappointing is that the West (Europe and USA particularly) are feeding the weyanes with money and wheat with which they can purchase guns to kill the innocent, and handout wheat for those whom the weyanes think are their supporters. And at the same time these westerners talk about human rights abuses, democracy, etc. It is after all, you (Mr. Bush, Mr. Blair, Mrs. Merkel etc) who loaded these weyanes on the shoulder of the people and it is up to you now to get rid of them from the Ethiopian soil. They are originated from what is now called Eritrea.
Mot lewyanew gang leader Meles Zarqawi !
Dil le Ethiopia hizb!
For all weyanes-Meles klique,
Please read the following poem to your Master,
I have got it from different web sits for you people:
Dictator
Please let us comment reasonably. One who comment in favor of KINIGIT (the Menfes)should not be woyanes or wayane clicks or gangs. It is our concern to stand besides our heroes. Let us take SHANET’s comment isn’t he Bereket or Meles? If they (the heroes)are dead,what can we say about bereket,meles,sebhat… these all are dead on May 2005. We didn’t worry about the comments of the gangs of woyane.
Don’t spend your valuable time thinking and commenting here about woyane more than it is needed. As the TPLF kangaroo court is serving us with evidences how really justice in TPLF criminal era, we have to use it to disgrace and eliminate them among the international community later on they will be hunted in The Hague.
Stop who said what but ask yourself what I
Untill we Ethiopians rise up and take charge of our country. Ethiopia will remaine be the country of ‘woyane’ and its advocators. Once and for all we, all Ethiopians take responsiblity and abolish ‘woyane’ from the face of the earth.
Dear All,
This time my mind is associating why the people of Ethiopia are in fear of Ethiopian millennium with the guilty verdict of EPRDF against CUD leaders.EPRDF may pass a death penalty against the CUD leaders. At the same time it is preparing to celebrate millennium.Do not you think this will cause to mobilize the public at large against the Wayanne regime ones and for all?I believe this will happen.
the irresponsible government defines the law as an instrument of the ruling party. It is naive to expect jusice from a government that has been installed by the US to serve its interests. It is sad that a nation is suffering under the hands of US mercenaries. I have no quarrel with the American people who think that their government is misrepresenting them all over the world not only in Ethiopia.