By staff writer

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia- An Ethiopian court on Tuesday ordered the death sentence for a police officer who shot and killed two students in Ambo town, 130 kilometers west of Addis Ababa, a high-ranking court official told SSI.
Deputy Sergeant Girma Gezahagn, police officer in the Regional Police, shot Gagema Bedane and Kebede Bedane dead at 22:30 when a school shift was taking place on November 9, 2005, just one week after a second episode of street violence in Addis Ababa resulted in the deaths of at least 36 demonstrators. The students were standing at their school’s gate, the trial revealed.
First Instance Criminal Court of the Higher Court of Ambo examined the evidence and became convinced that the suspect committed the crime intentionally.
The court decision also decreed that the media, both private and state-owned, should disseminate the judgment among the people of Ethiopia for their information.
Witnesses testified that the students did nothing to provoke the attack and the officer shot in the middle of several bystanders, it was learned from the trial document number 09836, the source disclosed.
The penalty has taken place according to Penal Code of Ethiopia number 539/1/a/, the source said.
According to the source, the court unanimously agreed upon the verdict based on the law and after examining the suspect’s intention and the occurrence of the crime.
The officer was arrested two days after the incident.
The source believes that the verdict will have implications beyond this case. “One, it shows that the courts are independent in the district. And further more, I believe it would have some role to calm the situation in the town by showing that everyone is equal before the law,” he added.
The defendant challenged the verdict and requested an appeal to the higher concerned body, the Oromia Supreme Court. According to Ethiopian law the head of the state, the President, must confirm any death sentence.