38 opposition politicians and activists released after Ethiopian government pardon

07/20/2007

By ANITA POWELL / Associated Press

Three minibuses left an Ethiopian prison carrying 38 opposition politicians and activists pardoned by the government Friday. Dozens of family members and supporters outside shouted in joy and whistled.

The politicians and activists were released only minutes after Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told journalists the government had pardoned them. They had been sentenced to various prison terms, including life, for inciting violence in an attempt to overthrow the government.

As their minibuses left Kalici Prison, some of the politicians made the victory sign, which is also the symbol of Ethiopia's opposition.

The family members and supporters gathered outside waved Ethiopian flags and also made victory signs. They then pursued the minibuses in other vehicles. It was not clear where the politicians and activists were being taken.

Meles had said he hoped the pardon "conveys the message that people are given a second chance as long as they seek it." The prisoners had written the government asking to be pardoned.

Meles said that the prisoners' right to vote and seek public office also had been restored. A Federal High Court ruled on Monday that those sentenced to life would have those rights permanently revoked and others would be barred for five years from seeking public office.

The United States had urged the government to show clemency in the case, which had been widely condemned by international human rights groups.

After the sentences were announced Monday, state-owned Ethiopian Television had reported the politicians and activists had written to the president to ask for pardons. Amnesty International said the defendants reportedly signed a statement some weeks ago that was expected to lead to a pardon and reconciliation with the ruling party.

Those pardoned included the leader of the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, Hailu Shawel; Berhanu Nega, who was elected mayor of Addis Ababa; former Harvard scholar Mesfin Woldemariam; and former U.N. special envoy and a former professor at Virginia's Norfolk State University, Yacob Hailemariam.

International human rights groups had accused the government of trying to silence its critics, and opposition leaders have claimed the trial was politically motivated.

The Federal High Court trial began in December 2005 following postelection violence that erupted during protests over balloting six months earlier.

The opposition won an unprecedented number of parliamentary seats in the 2005 vote, but not enough to topple Meles. The opposition claimed the voting was rigged, and European Union observers said they were marred by irregularities.

Initially, the opposition leaders, journalists and others were charged with treason, inciting violence and attempted genocide. Judges dropped the treason and attempted genocide charges in April and later that month freed 25 prisoners, among them eight journalists.

Since April, a total of 52 people faced four other charges, but only nine chose to put up a defense. The trial for the remaining nine continues on July 25.

Late last year, Ethiopia acknowledged that its security forces killed 193 civilians protesting alleged election fraud but insisted they did not use excessive force. A senior judge appointed to investigate the violence had accused the security forces of excessive force.