Ethiopia confirms opposition leader is jail over plea for pardon controversy

January 4, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia has confirmed the arrest of an opposition leader saying she had give a delay to confirm that it had been released after plea for pardon she filed.

Last week the ministry of justice gave the 35-year old opposition figure a 3-day period to deny statements she had made to media saying that she had never voiced remorse to mistakes and didn’t ask government for pardon to her release in july2007.

The Ethiopia Minister of Justice, Berhan Hailu told on Sunday the official ENA that said the pardon granted to Bertukan Midekssa was lifted in accordance with legal procedures and after she remained unwilling to refute her briefing given to foreign media.

The minister further said adequate time was given to Bertukan to dismiss her statement saying she had not made plea for pardon.

Pardon was granted to the leader of Unity for Democracy and Justice party under condition that she remains committed to act in compliance to “supreme law of the land and in due respect to the constitutional system after they were released on pardon.”

Following her refusal, the Board of Pardon recommended to lift the pardon given to her saying by her rejection she didn’t make use of the opportunity to regret and so she failed to discharge her responsibility.

Last Wednesday, the US embassy in Addis Ababa said concerned by the arrest of the opponent.

“We are particularly concerned by reports that Birtukan’s pardon has been revoked and she has begun a life sentence in prison,” said a statement issued by the embassy.

(ST)