Ethiopia says opposition suspects “refused defence”

June 13, 2007 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopian opposition members found guilty this week of charges related to violent protests refused to defend themselves in court despite repeated calls on them to do so, a government official said on Wednesday.

Thirty-eight people were convicted on Monday and could face the death penalty when they are sentenced on July 8 on charges including inciting violence and plotting armed rebellion.

Bereket Simon, a special adviser to Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, said the judiciary had given the accused ample time to mount a legal defence.

“Based on lack of will and refusal to submit their defence evidence by the accused … the judiciary has passed a guilty verdict,” Bereket said.

“This is a functioning and independent judiciary. Nobody has the power to twist the direction of the legal process,” he said.

Bereket was responding to comments by the United States, which said on Tuesday it was surprised and concerned by the court’s verdict and was watching the situation very closely.

Those found guilty this week were among 131 opposition leaders and journalists charged in December 2005 in relation to violent demonstrations over disputed polls.

They were arrested after nearly 200 people were killed in clashes between security forces and protesters angered at the results of the general election earlier that year, which the opposition says was rigged.

The crackdown tarnished Meles’ democratic credentials and prompted donors, including Britain and the European Union, to halt direct budgetary aid. Meles, who denied vote-rigging, says the opposition incited the violence to overthrow his government.

(Reuters)