Ethiopia opposition CUD leaders appear in court

Dec 1, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Leaders of Ethiopia’s main opposition party, journalists and a trade unionist facing possible treason charges looked tired and weak during a court appearance Thursday, the fourth day of their hunger strike against their detention.

The preliminary hearing was their first public appearance since the hunger strike began. The court — the same special tribunal where members of a toppled military dictatorship were being tried separately — ordered them held another 15 days after police said they had not yet completed investigations.

The 19 members of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), three journalists and one trade unionist were detained during political unrest that claimed the lives of at least 46 people last month. Another 42 died in June in similar protests over May 15 election. The main opposition parties has accused authorities of rigging the polls that returned the ruling party to power.

Lawyers at the court told journalists that their clients were refusing solid food and were drinking only juice or sweetened tea.

Diplomats from Canada and Sweden attended the hearing as did several hundred relatives and friends of the accused.

A crackdown effecting independent media, opposition politicians and civil and human rights activists began on Nov. 1 during the demonstrations.

Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has said that editors and opposition leaders jailed during the crackdown would be charged with treason, which carries the death penalty. So far prosecutors have not charged them with anything, saying police needed more time for investigations.

(AP/ST)