Ethiopian pop-star sentenced to 6 years jail over hit-and-run

By Tesfa-alem Tekle

December 6, 2008 (ADDIS ABABA) – A court in Ethiopia sentenced nation’s Top pop star to 6 years of prison terms for a slaughter of a homeless man, in a hit-and run incident in Addis Ababa in 2006.

The 31 year old singer, Tewdros kassahun well-known by Teddy Afro was found guilty of running over a man and drive away without reporting it to the police.

The court on Saturday sentenced Teddy Afro to 5 years in prison to the first charge and also to another one year on a second charge, driving without license.

Teddy afro has denied all charges and following the sentence he was heard saying “I feel free” while he was led out by police from the court room.

The court has also passed him an order to pay 18,000 Birr (nearly1800 USD).

Teddy afro songs have been an anthem for anti-government protests during the 2005 national elections and many Ethiopians agree that the charges were politically motivated.
But after passing the sentence the judge said that the prosecution was not in any way a vendetta.

(ST)