Ethiopia convicts opponents on trumped up charges, Amnesty

Addis Ababa, 29 Jun – (ANA) - More Ethiopian government opponents have been convicted on trumped up terrorism and treason charges in what Amnesty International called "a dark day" for freedom of expression.

Iconic dissident journalist Eskinder Nega and leading members of the political opposition, Andualem Arage and Nathnael Mekonnen, along with five other men, were found guilty on charges of ‘Terrorist Acts,’ ‘Encouragement of Terrorism,’ and ‘High Treason’ and several other charges.

A further 16 men were found guilty in absentia, including several journalists and one human rights activist. The verdict follows the conviction of five dissidents on similar charges in January.

“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 Claire Beston, Amnesty International’s Ethiopia researcher. (ANA)

FA/ANA/29 June 2012-----------