By ANITA POWELL, Associated Press Writer
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia—Five opposition members imprisoned since 2005 pleaded guilty Wednesday to attempting to overthrow Ethiopia’s government, but asked the judge for a pardon.
The Meles regime pardoned and freed 38 other opposition members in the same case last week after international condemnation and strong pressure from the United States. The detainees were all arrested in connection with deadly election protests.
The five defendants Wednesday submitted a letter saying, “I plead guilty and I don’t want to defend the case. I request the court give a judgment on me,” High Court Judge Adil Ahmed said, adding that they immediately asked for a pardon.
The defendants are accused of inciting violence in an attempt to overthrow the government. Prosecutors have been pushing for the death penalty.
The opposition won an unprecedented number of parliamentary seats in the 2005 vote, but not enough to topple Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. The opposition claimed the voting was rigged, and European Union observers said it was marred by irregularities.
Last year, the Meles regime acknowledged 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 disagreed, saying there was excessive force.
Initially, the opposition leaders, journalists and others were charged with treason, inciting violence and attempted genocide. Judges dropped the treason and attempted genocide charges in April and later that month freed 25 prisoners, among them eight journalists.
In Washington last week, a House subcommittee completed work on legislation that condemns Ethiopia’s recent human rights record and opens the door for sanctions. The bill would have to be passed by both houses and signed by President Bush.
7 thoughts on “Five Ethiopian opposition members seek pardon”
Since , this is the honest truth, that the jailed leaders have asked clemency to the Government and the people of Ethiopia , by their own signature , I still didn’t get it, why the old school Guy , has said he signed the paper, because some of his colleagues had left children home!! Wake up sir, and tell the truth to your supporters and voters!!
Dear Mehamed , I don’t know about you, I am just finished listening the interview given by kinigit Leaders which is broadcasting on VOA, today, (Wednesday) about the deal they made with the government. They, (the Free leaders) now unanimously confirmed, the validity of the apology letter, and they also welcome to work with the other side (this is their term implying the Government) to promote democracy and good governance and will also abide by the rule of the country. In that context, they will continue their struggle in a peaceful manner… during their interview they ask the Shimageloch , to help the meditation to release , all prisoners in each corner of the country. on the contrary, professor Efrem has interviewed by BEN , from Ethiopia first, if they (the shimagleoch or the government) imposed, what so ever duress against the leaders to sign the clemency letter , Prof, has rebuked the question , and covered the face of the good engineer by saying “ the chairman of CUD was tired when he answered this question , to the BBC journalist ,” “it was just an hour ,since he had left the notorious prison !!” said the Professor. Let’s forgive Ato shawl again!! God’s people always forgive and forget Thanks!!
Dear Mehamed & Melke Tsadek.. you sound so funy.. Weyanes speak listen to what they said themselves.. Ethiopians are not fool.. “Giraf rasu gerfo rasu yichohal” as our elders say it…… The ultimate court is history and the judges are Ethiopian people.. We all know who should be forgiven, if neccessary ……. there is in history when evil prevailed over love and truth.. Jesus was crucified for he did all good, Mandella was incarcerated for nearly 3 decades for his trustworthy and dedicated struggle to bring justice.. We will never forget the massacres of Gambella, Awassa, Addis Ababa, Oromia & Amhara for the whole era in the TPLF led EPRDF governorship.. The worst mistake of Weyanes is to underestimate the understanding of Ethiopian People .. As the Apartheid rulers killed civilians & incarcerated the Nelson Mandela, Weyanes did the same which the inquiry commission set by Meles himself confirmed & condemned him of responsible for the unbalaced use of force by Agazi squads to kill children and peaceful civilians .. The responsibility which your sadist killer Meles Zenawi took infront of the Nations by Ethiopian TV (in which he explicitely stated that his forces would use any kind of measures on any possible demostrations under his direct comand).. muy advice for you, never underestimate the understanding of the Nations.. Let the Best judgement to the best judges (the Ethiopian people).. as i told you earlier, i repeat it again, the ultimate court is History & the ultimate judges Ethiopian people
Since when did Weyanes start to give clemency to those whom they suspected tried to destroy them either by force or peaceful way?… Weyanes & pro Weyanes, come on.. just fool yourselves.. we know how Weyanes do political games.. the way they do gives sense only to you pro Weyanes themselves….. yes, CUD leaders signed the pardon letter.. we all know that…. It is bold fact that Weyanes could no more resist the international push and sanctions.. the reasons for those noble personalities asked for pardon are:
1. They know that Ethiopians would never stop asking for their release on all possible gatherings (Epiphany, Meskel, Eid Alfeter, ..the upcoming Millenium celebration and all the likes).. anybody can easily know that Weyanes would never stop shooting and killing children and unarmed civilians in all protests, which CUD leaders don’t like .. As they confirmed it, they are always ready to sacrifice their lives and pride for the sake of the Nations
2. They are sure that all Ethiopians know the fact & understand why they signed it.
3. It is Bold Fact that Weyanes are under tremendous pressure from International powerfull bodies, ….. the only way for shameful Weyanes to release CUD leaders is the way it happened .. If Weyanes were to release them without any extra procedures they would face a catastrophic condemnation from all internal and external bodies for it would be easy to condemn a criminal who accpted his crimes.. and also it would give a connotation that there is no justice in Ethiopia which might lead to a worse demonstration in which Weyanes would kill civilians as usual….. and of course, this is something the CUD leaders don’t like…
Ethiopians know the way sadist bunch of TPLF led EPRDF killer regime is playing..
Ethiopians acknowledge the sacrifice that CUD leaders paid to bring justice, peace and capable governance to the Nations will not be in Vain
Equality to all Nations !
Dear Debebe , Thanks for your reply towards my suggestion on the clemency letter, I respect and understand your point. Indeed I agree with you, nobody is perfect!! It is a known fact that, For the last fifteen or some years EPRDF, as a party has done so many mistakes , they are not Angels it is my hope that they will recognize their inaccurate calculation , and will take a bold step to ,fix it , and will bring good Governance and Democracy step by step and apologized for the things that can’t be fixed!! Nothing is impossible Debew!. Democracy is not build over night! We all wish to have the likes of Democracy, what the westerners, are experiencing!! This has been a long process!! And you know very well how our culture is unique may be we are not colonized, may be we are Ethiopians, it really needs time to engage with healthy discussion, to respect the opinions of each other!! Unfortunately we still didn’t develop that tradition. I have many, African friends and I am always amazing when thy are discussing their political matter, one listen the others, with sincere feeling, and with a full expectation, that he or she will bring something significant to the table, and they challenge the ideas not the individuals,, we should also need to give a respect to each other opinions!! Having said this I really wanted to see the sprit of reconciliation and forgiveness to develop and expand in our political life. This is the heavenly way!! As the saying goes Rome is not build over night…. My view is that this is just the beginning, not the end…. Let’s build it now!! Selam yehunelhe!
Dear Melke Tsadek,
U have lost the truck.. Meles Zenawi led Weyane has never been constrctive .. Weyanes has always been destructive and yet they don’t want to believe it,…. u know, the first step forward is to believe your mistakes.. after all they are doing it deliberately.. Democracy is not a principle rather a practice which the people living it witness…. Ethiopians are no fool, People never hate for nothing…… Mussolini and Hitler were preaching develpment and peace contrary to their actions… Meles and his narrow mineded TPLF friends difer from these two only in that Mussolini and Hitler did not directly attack their people. .. Meles Zenawi is theworst dictator Ethiopia ever had and the worst killer.. people never hate for nothing.. Justice will triumph…. reconsilation has far different everlasting meaning … Meles and his fellow criminals should be brought to criminal court.. you will see, time shall come when the truth triumphs
Dear Melke Tsadek,
one more important thing you should know, Ethiopians are not different.. i have been to many countries.. and have friends from many African Asian and European countris .. The people of Ethiopia have demonstrated their matured way of thinking and belifes even in the 2005 election.. Ethiopians are very peacful nations who even live with their repressors in peace, without inflicting damage to the oppressive offials and their families (which is very unlikely in many countries of the world) ….. and you know this….. The crime of Weyanes is countless, you know it, and also the people of Ethiopia know it…… do you want me to count you the numbr of times civilian people were shot in mass in public demonstrations?… do you want me to tell you how many tens of thousands of Oromo youth disappeared since the TPLF led Weyanes took power at gun point?.. don’t tell me that they are enjoying n palace….. do you want me to tell you by how many folds HIV prevalence increased in Ethiopia since Weyanes came to power? … do you want me to tell you by how many folds did the number of Ethiopian people living by a less than 1 dollar a day increase since Weyanes came?…. do you want me to tell you the rate of deliberate deforestaton in Oromia & Amhara? ….. Do you want me to tell you the figeres of massacres (Genocides) in Gambella, Debub, Addis Ababa (many times, Oromia and Amhara?…. do you want me to clarify you the unwise engagment and the consequences of Ethiopia’s war with Eritrea and Somalia?.. all these are the outcocmes of ill advised policies…..Weyanes only proved more repressive and destructive than their predecessor dictator…. after all, we don’t expect better from the military government who took power at gun point.. SPecially TPLF led Weyanes clearly distinguished themselves from the very beggining when they took armed struggle.. The day the truth triumphs shall come… May the Almighty God keep us all safe. Amen.