Four editors convicted; possible death penalty or life imprisonment

International PEN

June 30, 2007

On 11 June 2007, four editors were found guilty of political offences, including “outrages against the constitution or constitutional order” and “impairment of the defensive power of the state”, charges related to their publication of editorials critical of the government ‘ s conduct around the May 2005 parliamentary elections. They face the death penalty or long prison sentences. The editors were convicted alongside 34 opposition leaders and civil society activists following the defendants’ refusal to recognise the court or to present evidence in their defence as they believed they would not receive a fair trial.

Andualem Ayele, editor of Ethiop, and Mesfin Tesfaye, editor of Abay, are understood to face possible execution or life imprisonment for “outrages against the constitutional order”. Wonakseged Zeleke, editor of Asqual, could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison on similar charges. Deputy editor of Satanaw Dawit Fassil, who was returned to prison after being released on bail in April, is reported to face a custodial sentence of up to three years for “inciting the public through false rumours”.

Three publishing houses were also convicted: Serkalem (which owns Asqual, Menelik and Satanaw); Sisay (Ethiop); and Fasil (Addis Zena). The companies could now face heavy fines or be dissolved. This could also have onerous implications for the company owners, some of whom have fled the country following their release from prison in April 2007.

The four convicted editors remain in prison pending sentencing, alongside three other journalists and two academics. The journalists are Solomon Aregawi (Hadar), Dawit Kebede (Hadar) and Goshu Moges (Lisane Hezeb). The academics are Dr Berhanu Nega (economist, vice chairman of the opposition Coalition for Unity and Democracy – CUD – and elected mayor of Addis Ababa) and Professor Mesfin Wolde Mariam (76, author and former chair of the Ethiopian Human Rights Council).

There have recently been reports that all of the convicted prisoners may be released as part of a secret deal with the government (see, for example, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/6236990.stm), however these remain unconfirmed. In April eight journalists imprisoned on similar charges were acquitted and released after 17 months in prison (see Update #3 to RAN 49/05).

Sentencing is due to proceed on 9 July.

Additional information:

• The imprisoned journalists and academics were arrested and charged in November 2005 following the publication of editorials critical of the government ‘ s conduct around the May 2005 parliamentary elections. 193 people died and 765 were wounded during a massive government crackdown on post-election protests after the opposition contested the victory of the ruling party. The journalists are all associated with Amharic-language publications banned since the crackdown.
• PEN believes the nine men’s imprisonment and the charges against them are related to their peaceful exercise of their right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Ethiopian Constitution and international human rights treaties which Ethiopia has ratified.
• To read a recent account of life in Kaliti prison and a call to action by one of the journalists released in April, Fasil Yenealum, click on Kaliti Prison: A report by an eye-witness account.
• Professor Mesfin Wolde Mariam is an Honorary Member of Scottish PEN.

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***Please send appeals immediately. Check with International PEN if sending appeals after 25 July 2007.

For further information please contact Tamsin Mitchell at International PEN Writers in Prison Committee, Brownlow House, 50 / 51 High Holborn, London WC1V 6ER. Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7405 0338 Fax: + 44 (0) 20 7405 0339 Email: [email protected]