Trial begins of Ethiopian opposition leaders
Feb 23, 2006 (NAIROBI) — Trial began Thursday for 129 opposition leaders, journalists and aid workers in Ethiopia, and all but three of them refused to enter pleas because they believe charges against them were fabricated and they will not get a fair hearing.
A Federal High Court judge, however, entered pleas of not guilty to the charges of treason and attempted genocide for the 126 who refused to plea. Under Ethiopia’s law, such plea is entered if the accused remains silent.
The charges stem from violence that erupted in November during protests over the disputed May 15 elections that returned Prime Minister Meles Zenawi to power.
Some of the accused have been in prison since Nov. 1, when the government began a crackdown affecting independent media, opposition politicians and human rights activists in an effort to crush the violent protests in which at least 46 people were killed.
In similar protests in June, 42 people died.
During Thursday proceedings, some of the accused held their hands over their mouths in an act of protest at being banned by the judge from making statements regarding the ongoing trial.
Opposition leader Hailu Shawel, recovering from an eye operation while in prison, told the court the charges against them were fabricated before he was ordered to remain quiet, according to people who were in court.
Others alleged that authorities have already determined they are guilty, said the witnesses who asked not to be identified because they feared reprisals from authorities.
A British judge was in court to monitor the fairness of proceedings for the European Union.
Foreign diplomats, families and friends of those accused also packed into the courtroom.
Two workers for an international aid agency were expected to plead not guilty but delayed their plea due to legal argument over the exact charges they face, witnesses in the courtroom said.
Wednesday, Amnesty International called for the immediate release of the accused.
“These people are prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely on account of their nonviolent opinions and activities,” said Kolawole Olaniyan, director of Amnesty’s Africa program. “It is unacceptable that they are now facing serious criminal charges that could lead to death sentences and possible execution.”
“We demand their immediate and unconditional release and a halt to this attempt by the Ethiopian government to criminalize freedom of expression and prevent legitimate political and human rights activity.”
The accused will next appear in court on March 1.
(AP/ST)