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Prominent patriots face death penaltyLeaders of the most popular party in Ethiopia, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, were herded into a packed and tense courtroom. The frail Professor Mesfin Woldemariam, a prominent academic and human rights campaigner, Engineer Hailu Showel, President of the CUD, Britukan Mediksa, CUD’s vice-president and lawyer, Dr. Berhanu Nega, a leading economist, Dr. Hailu Araya, Dr. Yakob Hailemariam, Engineer Gizachew Shiferaw were among the distinguished Ethiopians who appeared before court amid tight security. The list of the accused seem a celebrity roll whose crimes was challenging Meles Zenawi, who is widely accused of rigging the May national elections and resorting to terrorism against his fellow countrymen. “These charges are shocking and outrageous,” said Ann Cooper, Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. “They strike at the heart of Ethiopia’s journalist community by criminalizing essential work of the press. The government of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is using legal means to suppress dissent, but it is increasingly behaving like an outlaw regime,” she said in her latest statement. “I believe Meles Zenawi is doing a great disservice to himself and his government by charging all his critics with treason. This courtroom drama, backed up by extrajudicial killings, mass arrests, beatings and intimidation, isn’t about law and order. It is aimed at creating fear and terror among the people of Ethiopia,” said Abebe Tamrat, a lawyer who is intending to leave the country soon. “In today’s Ethiopia, there is no constitution or rule of law. The present situation reminds us of Cambodia’s killing fields under Pol Pot. Those who are in jail for telling the truth never deserve to be there for a single minute let alone months and years. We know who the criminals are,” he said with a quivering voice. Voice of America Director David S. Jackson said in response to charges of treason against five VOA journalists: “These charges are false and are an obvious attempt to intimidate our broadcasters. The Voice of America has a worldwide reputation for the quality and reliability of our journalism, and we stand by our reporters.” The VOA also accused the government of Meles Zenawi of trying to jam its transmissions to Ethiopia. Exiled Ethiopians are calling Western governments to take tougher measures against Prime Minister Meles. Thousands of Ethiopians who recently staged a peaceful rally in London urged Prime Minister Tony Blair to stop backing “Ethiopia’s Bin Laden.”
Many of the accused live in exile after fleeing political persecutions at home. According to reliable sources, the list of Ethiopians who are charged in absentia include: Professor Getachew Haile ( Academic, USA ), Professor Mamo Muchie ( Academic, Denmark ), Dr. Moges Wolde-Mariam ( Academic, USA ), Dr. Taye Woldesemayat ( President ETA, touring North America) By Linda Milani
Linda Milani is a freelance journalist and human rights activist.
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