Woyanne prosecutors demanded the death penalty on Monday for opposition officials and journalists convicted of trying to overthrow the government, treason and inciting violence.
“Since they have been found guilty on all counts, they should be punished with the highest penalty,” prosecutor Abraham Tetemke told the court.
The prosecutor also requested the court to confiscate all the properties of the journalists and publishers who were convicted along with the opposition leaders.
The court is expected to issue a sentence on July 16.
The accused, who have chosen not to defend themselves, did not speak during today’s session, but will have a chance to do so during next week’s court session. “They have not shown any sign of regret in the court, and they have not accepted the sovereignty of the court,” said prosecutor Abraham Tetemke.
“Therefore we request that they should be punished with capital punishment.” “The accused conspired to overthrow the government. In the process, they have created havoc, destroying state and private proerty. They are also responsible for the deaths of security forces and because of this we request the death penalty,” the prosecutor added.
The court gave the accused a week to provide any mitigating evidence. The judge had been due to pass sentence but he adjourned the hearing for a week to allow those convicted the chance to respond to the prosecutor’s statement.
The opposition leaders continue to hold a position that they do not recognize the legitimacy of the court and will not submit any document or evidence.
The courtroom was packed with relatives of the accused, who sobbed as they heard the prosecutors’ demand.
One woman sitting among the friends and relatives laughed derisively when the prosecutor demanded the death sentences. Judge Adil, thinking that the person who laughed was Ato Abayneh Berhanu’s wife, told her to leave the court. When she said that he is mistaking her for another person, [firde gemdil] Adil said that he will hold her in contempt unless she leaves the court room. He stopped the proceedings until she was escorted out.
The BBC’s Elizabeth Blunt in Addis Ababa says the constant delays are hard for some of the prisoners’ families to bear.
Some women were visibly upset; others said bitterly that the government was deliberately delaying the case and playing with their lives.
After court adjourned, family members of the accused shuffled out silently, some with shocked looks on their faces, others wiping away tears.
Mulatu Teklu, 67, walked dazedly out of court after he learned that his youngest son, 32-year-old Yenene Mulatu, could die for his actions.
“I’m very sorry,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m very sorry.”
Others were more optimistic. Asrat Tassie, a former defendant and opposition politician who was among 25 defendants released from jail in April, said he was sure that a deal to pardon the leaders would come to fruition.
The officials were convicted last month of charges relating to violent protests over disputed elections in 2005 which the opposition says were rigged.
Nearly 200 people were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces over the vote that altered the political landscape in the Horn of Africa country of 81m people, handing the opposition a vastly increased share of parliamentary seats.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has said he regretted the post-poll violence, but blamed it on opportunistic rioters and an opposition conspiracy to topple him by force.
Last month, he condemned calls by Western diplomats for the 38 to be released as “shameful and wrong”.
BBC reporter says that the sentences may not be the end of the story. The Meles regime has repeatedly said it cannot interfere in the judicial process. However once sentence has been passed, then there may be the possibility of clemency or pardon.
Some of those close to the prisoners now feel that talk of possible pardon is a false hope that comes from non-government sources and that the rumors could be a ploy by the Meles regime to minimize public anger. The latest talk is granting commutation of sentence from death penalty to prison term rather than full pardon. That may explain the prosecutor’s request for the death penalty.
Sources include Reuters, BBC, AP
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