Verdict over Ethiopian human rights activist re-adjourned

By Simegnish Yekoye

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia - Ethiopian court re-adjourns the verdict over Professor Mesfin W/Mariam who was one of the defendants with Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD) leaders arrested in connection with the May 2005 election violence, to his charge of inciting violence among Addis Ababa University (AAU) students.

After a trial that took a year and half, Professor Mesfin, a human right activist was convicted and sentenced for life. But with a pardon he and his codefendants which comprised other top leaders of the party were said to have signed and submitted to the government a request fro clemency and were subsequently set free.

Professor Mesfin together with another top leader of CUD and elected Mayor of Addis Ababa, Berhanu Nega were charged under another file for stirring up violence in 2001 at a meeting of the Ethiopian Human Right Council organized for AAU students. Following the meeting a nationwide university rioting ensued resulting in the detention of university students in Addis Ababa in relation to the violence.

At the event Professor Mesfin and Berhanu were invited to make speeches on human right and the extent to which students can exercise their rights.
The two however charged were both defendants for making speeches that provoked aggression among the students.
After hearing the case, the court set Birhanu free while Professor Mesfin was found guilty to defend his case and was scheduled for April 3, 2008, for a final verdict.
Due to unknown reasons however, the court has re-adjourned for May 6, 2008.