- The Ethiopian court has ordered that the 41 alleged coup plotters to remain behind bars while prosecution prepares to lay the charges. The group was arrested more than a month ago for allegedly plotting to overthrow the Ethiopian regime and to assassinate the top leaders.
Local news reports said a number relatives had gathered around the court in the capital Addis Ababa yesterday to see their loved ones, since the suspects were arrested on 24 April, they were not allowed visitors.
The government prosecutor has requested the court for time to refer and consult relevant laws with evidences of the case as per criminal code, a move which the court accepted giving the prosecution 14 days.
Human rights activists have condemned the detention without a charge, saying the suspects' detention was unconstitutional. “All the families have been denied their constitutional right to visit their relatives. No one is willing to grant them, and the government pretends it doesn’t know,” the activists said.
However, the government spokesperson has argued that the Ethiopian law does not place any limit on length of detention.
Meanwhile local reports have also revealed that the wives of the alleged coup suspects have not been spared the drama surrounding the alleged coup plot, saying the wives of the alleged plotters and children were also detained for two weeks.
Reports further said some of the officers have been brutally tortured by the secret police, while their lawyers are not allowed to consult their clients including being shut out of court hearing.
Ethiopian authorities have named only two of the prisoners despite numerous calls from international rights groups that they name and charge all the 41 detainees.
Ethiopia is well known for quashing opposition voices, with the secret security forces having reportedly killed close to 200 protesters after the parliamentary elections in 2005 when the opposition disputed the victory of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's government.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español