“Guilty as charged,” judge Endeshaw Adane said, referring to journalist Eskinder Nega, opposition member Andualem Arage and 22 others accused of links to US-based group Ginbot 7, considered a terrorist group under Ethiopian law, and other outlawed groups.
Under the anti-terrorism legislation, the defendants face the death sentence, but the prosecutor recommended life sentences for the 24, only eight of whom were present in court.
Both Eskinder and Andualem were found guilty of “participation in a terrorist organisation” and “planning, preparation, conspiracy, incitement and attempt of (a) terrorist act.”
Andualem was also found guilty of serving as a “leader or decision maker of a terrorist organisation.” Another less prominent opposition member was also among the group convicted Wednesday.
Endeshaw said Eskinder abused his freedom of speech and accused him of threatening national security.
“Freedom of speech can be limited when it used to undermine security and not used for the public interest,” he said.
Both Eskinder and Andualem are accused of using examples of Arab Spring uprisings in the media to promote anti-government protest in Ethiopia.
“There is no way other than democratic elections to attain power in the country, and what they said is clearly against the constitution,” Endeshaw said.
“By using the freedom of speech recognized in the constitution these criminals have been trying to destabilize the country… that is why the court should give a grave sentence,” the prosecutor said.
Five of the defendants, including Eskinder and Andualem, will reappear in court on July 13 to present their mitigating circumstances.
Rights group Amnesty International condemned the verdict, and said the men were found guilty on “trumped up” charges.
“This is a dark day for justice in Ethiopia, where freedom of expression is being systematically destroyed by a government targeting any dissenting voice,” Amnesty’s Africa researcher Claire Beston, said in a statement.
Amnesty said the convicted were prisoners of conscience and said “the verdict seemed to be a foregone conclusion.” The group called for the immediate release of the prisoners.
Andualem, who appeared in court in a suit and tie, tried to present his own mitigating circumstances to the judges.
“I have struggled for peaceful democracy, and I have never disrespected any individual and I didn’t commit a crime. My conscience is clear,” he said.
The judge promptly silenced him and said he was not following the court’s procedure.
Eskinder insisted he deserved to speak since he is facing a serious sentence.
“You have to stand for justice, you have to allow us to say what we want… you have no right to limit our freedom of speech,” he said to the judges.
The courtroom was filled with family members, journalists and diplomats, including US Ambassador Donald Booth.
ADDIS ABABA (Reuters) – Twenty-four Ethiopians, including a prominent journalist and blogger, were convicted on Wednesday of conspiring with rebels to overthrow the government, the third case in six months involving a member of the media.
Prosecutors said they would not demand the death penalty and called for jail sentences from five years to life for the group.
Media rights groups have accused Addis Ababa of using national security concerns as an excuse to clamp down on opposition figures and journalists, a charge dismissed by the government.
Both the U.S.-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Amnesty International criticized the convictions.
“This is a dark day for justice in Ethiopia, where freedom of expression is being systematically destroyed by a government targeting any dissenting voice,” said Amnesty International’s Ethiopia researcher Claire Beston.
Journalist and blogger Eskinder Nega was arrested last year and accused of trying to incite violence with a series of online articles, alongside other charges.
Along with the 23 other named individuals, he was also accused of belonging to Ginbot 7, a group branded a “terrorist” organization by the Ethiopian government.
The 24 were charged last year, most of them in absentia, with six counts including conspiracy to dismantle the constitutional order, recruitment and training for terror acts and aiding Ethiopia’s arch-foe Eritrea and a rebel group to disrupt security.
Only Nega and seven other defendants were in court on Wednesday when judge Endeshaw Adane dismissed charges of espionage and participation in terror acts. The rest were abroad and convicted in absentia.
Adane said the defendants’ main aim was to spark an “Arab Spring”-style revolt in the country.
“Under the guise of freedom of speech and gathering, the suspects attempted to incite violence and overthrow the constitutional order,” he said before delivering the verdict.
The trial resumes on July 13, when sentences are expected.
Two journalists were each jailed for 14 years on similar charges in February, two months after two Swedish newsmen were imprisoned with 11 years for entering the country illegally and aiding a rebel group.
Critics point to an anti-terrorism law passed after several explosions in 2009 that states that anyone caught publishing information that could induce readers into acts of terrorism could be jailed for between 10 to 20 years.
More than 10 journalists have been charged under the law, according to CPJ. The group says Ethiopia is close to replacing Eritrea as the African country with the highest number of journalists behind bars.
Addis Ababa insists its arrests of journalists has nothing to do with their reporting or political affiliations.
Rights groups have said more than 150 opposition politicians and supporters have been detained since last year on terrorism-related charges.
