Ethiopia High Court extends detention of 4 opponents for two weeks
Nov 16, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia’s Federal High Court has given the Federal Police more 14 day time to finalize its investigation on four individuals accused of alleged involvement in the recent unrest in Addis Ababa.
The Etiopian police appealed to the High Court to be given more time to finalize its investigation on those suspects named Seblewerk Tadesse, Tadios Beyene, Mesfin Tesfaye and Wenakseged Zeleke, whom it intends to charge on two separate files.
The 24 opposition leaders brought to court on Monday 8 November , including Coalition for Unity and Democracy chairman Hailu Shawel and vice chairman Berhanu Nega and prominent human rights activist Mesfin Wolde Mariam, were ordered held another 14 days during the closed hearing, according to one of their lawyers, Mehrteab Leul.
Clashes between police and opposition supporters angered by the outcome of elections earlier this year left at least 46 people dead, drew international condemnation and raised questions about Prime Minister Meles Zenawi’s commitment to democracy.
Police told the court that additional time was needed to identify public and government properties damaged by the riot, recover arms snatched from police members as well as to apprehend the suspects accomplices.
Two of the suspects, Seblewerk Tadesse and Tadios Beyene, appealed to the court that Police have had sufficient time to conduct investigations, and the court should not give it additional time.
Another suspect, Mesfin Tesfaye, told the court: “I am the chief editor of Abay newspaper. I do not know why I am put under police custody. I did no crime, and I am arrested without due process of law.”
The other suspect, Wenakseged Zeleke, also objected the appeal by police to be given extra time for investigation.
The court ruled that Police be given an additional 14 day time to finalize its investigation and also ordered for the respect of the rights of suspects to be visited by their relatives as well as by their lawyers.
The court was adjourned for Monday November 28, 2005.
Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said Wednesday that opposition leaders and newspaper editors under detention will face treason charges, which carries the death penalty in Ethiopia, for their alleged roles in protests.
The violence began Nov. 1 after peaceful protests Oct. 31 over the disputed May 15 elections.
While the protests were sparked by the election dispute, many Ethiopians believe they reflect growing frustration over abject poverty in this nation of at least 70 million.
The vote gave Meles’s Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front control of nearly two-thirds of parliament. Opposition parties have accused the ruling party of rigging the vote, and said the election and vote count were marred by fraud, intimidation and violence.
(ST/ENA)