Wednesday morning members of the Zone 9 Bloggers, together with
the three journalists, arrived to another court session at Lideta High
Court, Addis Ababa.
During this session there was an order to amend the terrorism charges. In an interview (Amharic)
with Ameha Mekonnen, defence lawyer of the bloggers, it is said that
the charges in its present form does not mention what kind of terrorism
the bloggers and journalists are alleged to have been plotting. It only
says that they are accused of organizing themselves and designing
terrorism without mentioning how. The court therefore ordered an
amendment of about eight points of the terrorism charges. The charges
should specify the acts of terrorism the bloggers and journalists are
alleged to have been doing, otherwise the trial may not be able to
continue with the present charge. For details in English, click here.
Aslo, the court decided to drop the second charge
of the bloggers. However, the major themes of the second charge are
covered in the first charge, which the bloggers still are accused of.
Edom Kasaye, one of the journalists, complained that her family
continues facing harassment by the police while trying to visit her at
the Kality prison. Edom and blogger Mahlet Fantahun have also complained
about deteriorating prison conditions, but one of the prison officials
denied all allegations of ill-treatment. The case will be seen again
during the next court hearing.
Reports coming from the hearing tells that even though observers gave
up their places, there was not enough room for family and friends in
the court.
The trial is adjourned for the 12th time. The next hearing will take place on December 3, 2014. During the coming trial the hearing of the amended terrorism charges will take place.
Zone 9
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