Ethiopian court charges 131 with treason, genocide

Dec 16, 2005 (ADDIS ABABA) — Over 100 Ethiopian opposition leaders and other people were charged Friday with treason, genocide and other offenses, a judge said.

The court will hear bail applications Wednesday from the 131 opponents of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, including journalists, trade unionists and others, Judge Adil Ahmed added.

Some of the accused have been in prison since Nov. 1, when the government began a crackdown on independent media, opposition politicians and human rights activists after May 15 protests over disputed 15 elections that saw at least 46 people killed.

In similar protests in June 42 people died. The protests began after the main opposition parties accused authorities of rigging the polls that returned the ruling party to power.

Adil told a courtroom none of the defendants received sheets detailing the charges against them because of delays by prosecutors in sifting evidence and preparing them. He said the charge sheets would be ready Wednesday. The defendants will then have 25 days to plead, their lawyers said.

The charges include treason, genocide, conspiracy, causing armed uprising and trying to overthrow the constitution, Adil said.

Prosecutor Abraham Tetemke told the court all defendants will face the same charges. Under Ethiopian law the sentences for the various offenses range from three years imprisonment to death.

Only 55 of the defendants were in court Friday, including a senior leader of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy, Berhanu Nega, and human rights activist Mesfin Wolde Mariam. Both are on their 18th day of hunger strike to protest their incarceration.

Coalition for Unity and Democracy leader Hailu Shawel wasn’t in court as he’s receiving medical treatment in the police hospital, Adil said.

Authorities have said they have freed more than 8,954 detainees who were found not to be directly involved in November’s violence.

(AP/ST)