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ETHIOPIA: OPPOSITION LEADERS DENIED BAIL BY COURT January 5, 2006
Apunyu Bonny
(SomaliNet) Amidst chaotic scenes, Ethiopian opposition leaders facing charges of treason and genocide were refused bail forcing a judge to halt their court hearing.
Judge Adil Ahmed on Wednesday saidthe majority of the charges carry sentences of above 15 years imprisonment, so after hearing the evidence they have decided to refuse bail.
A total of 129 opposition leaders, journalists and activists face charges of attempting to overthrow the government during violent demonstrations against the outcome of parliamentary elections, a crime punishable by death or life imprisonment, also some 94 defendants, including two teenage boys, face genocide charges, while 42 are charged with high treason. Other offences include conspiracy and armed uprising.
Baton-wielding police attempted to restore order to the federal high court as the judge walked out of the hearing,amidst yelling defendants that the charges against them were untrue.
"I am accused of fabricated charges," said Berhanu Nega, senior opposition leader and mayor of the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa. "We do not recognise the authority of the court to try us. We were only serving our country as responsible leaders."
Defence lawyers had boycotted the proceedings, claiming that they had not been allowed access to their clients, in violation of the Ethiopian constitution.
23rd February is set for the next hearing and unless the defendants appeal the bail ruling they look set to remain behind bars until the trials begin.
May, 2005 elections done amisdst violence, returned the ruling party - led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi - to powerl eaving at least 88 people killed in clashes with police during protests in June and November. About 8,000 people arrested during a massive crackdown beginning on 1 November have been freed, but Meles has insisted that around 3,000 people will face charges.