Family members of the jailed leaders of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit) and the journalists are heading to Qaliti prison this morning to receive them when they finally get out this afternoon. Members of the media have also arrived at Qaliti.
At the other side of town, the real criminal, Meles Zenawi and his puppet, President Girma Woldegiorgis, are giving press conferences. The mediators will also give a press conference this afternoon at the Sheraton Hotel. The three press conferences will be broadcast by the Woyanne-controlled media tonight.
Those who will be release today include:
Ato Hailu Shawel, Wzr. Bertikan Mideqsa, Ato Muluneh Eyoel, Dr Befekadu Degifie, Ato Gizachew Shiferraw, Ato Abayneh Berhanu, Dr Hailu Araya, Shaleqa Getachew Mengistie, Dr Berhanu Nega, Ato Seleshi Tena, Prof. Mesfin Woldemariam, Dr Yacob Hailemariam, Ato Ashalew Ketema, Dr Tadios Bogale, Ato Gebretsadiq Gebremariam, Ato Assefa Habtewold, Ato Brook Kebede, Ato Tamrat Tarekegn, Ato Andualem Aragie, Wzr. Negist Gebrehiwot, Ato Debebe Eshetu, Ato Yeneneh Mulat, Ato Mamushet Amare, Ato Anteneh Mulugeta, Ato Tesfaye Tariku, Ato Waltenegus Asnake, Ato Mulu Gashu, Ato Mesfin Tesfaye, Ato Andualem Ayele, Ato Mesfin Debesa, Ato Berhanu Alemayehu, Ato Wudneh Jedi, Ato Melaku Uncha, Ato Abyot Wakjira, Ato Daniel Berihun, Ato Wonakseged Zelleke, Ato Dawit Fassil.
Their release came about following several months of mediation involving the American embassy, European diplomats, and some prominent Ethiopians. After a great deal of pressure from donor countries, Meles Zenawi has been forced to release his hostages, but only if they admit that they had committed the crimes he charged them with. Out of the 71 hostages who signed such a statement (with guns to their heads), 38 will be released today. The rest will await the court ruling before the Board of Pardon review their request for pardon. And thus the Woyanne tragic comedy continues.
… more update shortly
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