Ethiopian opposition activists denied bail

Nov 21, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — An Ethiopian court denied bail on Monday to 23 opponents of the government accused of inciting violence in Addis Ababa in early November.

At least 42 people were shot dead when police confronted demonstrators in the capital after the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) called for new protests against May polls it says the government manipulated.

Four more people were killed in clashes elsewhere in subsequent days. The government denies ballot fraud.

Judge Adil Ahmed ordered the 23 suspects — 19 CUD members, three journalists and one trade unionist — to remain in jail for a further 10 days, heeding appeals from prosecutors who had requested more time to collect evidence.

“Because of the complex nature of crime the suspects were alleged to have committed and considering the request by police for more time to complete its investigation, the court has decided to remand the suspects to a 10-day detention,” he said.

The next court hearing is scheduled for Dec. 1.

The accused smiled and greeted relatives as they arrived in court escorted by armed police.

Defence lawyers had argued for bail, saying the suspects were former civil servants, university professors and teachers who had never committed any crimes.

“They are detained not because they committed crimes but due to their political views,” one of the defence lawyers, Tamiru Wondemagegnhew, told the court.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi says the 23 will be charged with treason for what he calls a misguided attempt at a Ukrainian-style people power revolution.

The violence in sub-Saharan Africa’s second most-populous country after Nigeria fuelled fears of mounting instability and prompted Western donors to urge both sides to show restraint.

The killings followed the death of 36 people in June in similar protests over Ethiopia’s second real multi-party vote in its 3,000-year history.

(Reuters)