Ethiopia says two suspects confessed plotting against state

September 15, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia said today that two suspects charged with plotting to kill government officials and sabotage infrastructure had admitted their guilt.

Ethiopian authorities arrested on Saturday April 23, some 40 people, including senior military officers, accusing them or preparing to commit terrorist attacks in the country. The opposition group, Ginbot 7, led by Birhanu Nego rejected the accusation describing it as “baseless and total fabrication.”

Thers are some 12 suspects who are believed to be in exile.

However, Ethiopian ministry of justice said today that “the defendants, Captain Adfris Asaminew and Capitain Adugna Alemayehu admitted to the Federal High Court all the charges filed by the prosecutor without any pressure,” reported the official ENA.

The suspects “confessed with their own will that under the order of other defendants charged with similar charges, they have committed all the crime.”

Ethiopian authorities accuse the group’s leader Berhanu Nega of masterminding the alleged plot.

Berhanu, a professor currently living in exile in the United States, was elected mayor of Addis Ababa in the polls. He was subsequently jailed for two years and left the country after his release.

In the past authorities said would seek to bring him home but USA and Ethiopia are not signatories of extradition agreement.

The court adjourned the case until November 5, 2009.

(ST)