Ethiopia’s 35 accused appear in court

April 27, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) – Some 35 Ethiopian, suspected of plotting to commit subversive activities against the government, were brought before the court on Monday.

Ethiopian security services said the terrorist group, which is led by Dr. Berhanu Nega, has declared an armed struggle to dismantle the national constitutional system through force.

The authorities, who detained them on Friday April 24, say they found in their houses weapons, explosives, communications tools and army uniforms.

The security service today requested the judge to allow them more time to finalize their investigations. A period of 14 days has been granted by the judges.

The police said they had been closely monitoring the activities of the members of the “terror network” which encompasses soldiers and civilians working in government ministries.

Berhanu’s organization ‘May 15th’ is named after the date of the 2005 Ethiopia’s general election, where post election violence left some 193 protesters dead.

The leader of the group was elected mayor of capital Addis Ababa after parliamentary elections in 2005 but was jailed when the opposition disputed the government’s victory. Since, he is teaching at Pennisylvania University.

(ST)