New York — EDITOR'S NOTE: The headline and text of the alert reflects an important correction. The U.S.-based blogger was given a life sentence, not the death penalty, as CPJ originally reported.
A U.S.-based journalist convicted on politicized terrorism charges in Ethiopia was sentenced to life in absentia today, while two other Ethiopian journalists received heavy prison sentences in connection with their coverage of banned opposition groups, according to news reports.
Elias Kifle, exiled Ethiopian editor of the Washington-based opposition website Ethiopian Review , was handed a life sentence in absentia today, which followed a 2007 life sentence given to him also in absentia on charges of treason for his coverage of the government's brutal repression of 2005 post-election protests , CPJ research shows. A court in the capital, Addis Ababa, sentenced Reeyot Alemu, a columnist with the independent weekly Feteh , and Woubshet Taye, deputy editor of the now-defunct weekly Awramba Times , to 14 years in prison and 33,000 birrs (US$1,500), news reports said.
"The life sentence for Elias Kifle and the prison sentences for Reeyot Alemu and Woubshet Taye are based on their writings about political dissent. This verdict has little to do with justice," said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. "We condemn this politicized prosecution designed to cow critical voices into silence and call on the Supreme Court to reverse all the convictions."
The three journalists were charged in September with lending support to an underground network of banned opposition groups, which has been criminalized under the country's 2009 antiterrorism law . Alemu and Taye were arrested in June and held for weeks on government accusations of plotting to sabotage telephone and electricity lines before they were charged. In the trial, government prosecutors presented as evidence intercepted emails and phone calls between the journalists, as well as more than 25 Ethiopian Review articles on the activities of opposition groups, CPJ research shows.
Eskinder Nega , another Ethiopian blogger, has been imprisoned since September and could be sentenced to death if convicted of similar politicized terrorism charges in connection with his coverage of banned opposition groups.
Comments Post a comment
I am shocked over the decision of the Ethiopian authorities to sentence a Journalist to death for publications related to banned opposition political groups. Frankly speaking, this is Ethiopia's personal issue, but it sends a wave of alarm across the African Continent. It sadly brings back memories of the brutal days of apartheid in South Africa during the years Mandella was locked up on Ruben Island and Police dogs controlled black communities.
Ethiopian authorities should reconsider the imposed death penaly on one of its nationals currently living in the United States. International press corps should condemn the sentence because it is an attempt to silence the free press. Instead of killing Journalists, African leaders should advocate free professional and responsible journalism to guarantee justice, equality and freedom across the dark continent. Even the African Union - (AU) needs to speak up for the sake of human dignity.
This is a common practice of the dark continent of Africa. The only way to stay in power is Murder any one who oppose the government. To survive in Africa you better shut your mouth or leave the continent. African leaders they never practice democracy or free speech including OAU. The dead organization of African unity. Where are they whem millions killed in Sudan and rowanda, and now somalia. The African leaders knows how to stay in power for more than 20, 30, and 40 years in power. The only way to survive is killing and sending many innocent into prison. What is new today.
A lack of freedom of speech makes it very hard to reveal other abuses of power in Ethiopia, such as this one: http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/01/16/ethiopia-forced-relocations-bring-hunger -hardship