Ethiopia’s CUDP Leadership – Their day in court
Coalition for Unity and Democracy Party (Kinijit)
Press Release
Feb 23, 2006 — The Kinijit leaderships, including the honorable Engineer Hailu Shawel, which are detained in prison for an allegation of genocide and treason, appeared in court today. All the detainees are in good shape and with very good spirit.
The presiding judge asked whether or not they know about their charges and whether or not they plead guilty.
All the detainees unanimously remained silent and refused to reply in protest of the court not being independent of the government. The judge took that as pleading not guilty pertaining to the country’s law. The judge also ruled that the charges against the diasporas be tried in absentia. On the case of the teenager the judge ruled he be tried, as per the evidence presented by the prosecutors that he is 16.
On the other hand the three civil society defendants submitted their objection on the charge through their lawyer and the prosecution argued challenging their objection and it will give its ruling on the issue on Wednesday.
The majority of them were dressed in black. Ato Hailu shawel tried to protest the charge telling the court the charge and the evidence is fake – he told the court that his signature was forged and all the charge against the rest are fabricated so the court should set them free . The judge said they will not accept this as objection and did not allow him to speak further.
Proffesor Mesfin Woldemariam also asked the court if he can be given two minutes and said the same thing but the judge ordered the police to take the microphone from him. Wzt. Birutkan Medeksa said the Prime Minister has already given his verdict and passed the death penalty, and asked the court to just implement the same as she expects nothing better. The judge interfered in her speech and replied that this is not Inetr-African Group Forum and also ordered the microphone be taken away from her. Birhanu complained to the court why they are subjected to such inhumane treatment by the prison administration, that their belongings (black cloths) are confiscated, they are now moved to a room where they share with 300 other inmates, they were handcuffed on the way to court and their new room is unacceptable by any standard.
Representatives from the International Community including journalists form Washington Times, and others were present. The court is adjourned until next Wednesday, 1st march, 2006.