SISAY AGENA TRIAL

The two were not told why they had been moved to another prison, the sources said. Several sources said these prisoners were abused and that their visiting rights were severely curtailed.

SISAY AGENA TRIAL

When the trial went into recess in August and September, CPJ received reports that Nega and Agena had been moved to the capital’s Karchele Prison, known for its harsh conditions. Prisoners complained that their conditions were difficult. The delegation spoke with Nega, Fassil, Agena, and Yenealem, all of whom said they had been doing their jobs as journalists in criticizing the government. In March, a CPJ delegation was allowed to visit Kality Prison near Addis Ababa and meet with some of the jailed journalists. In April, CPJ issued a special report, “Poison, Politics, and the Press,” outlining its findings. A CPJ analysis of evidence provided by the prosecution found that the journalists’ work was often antigovernment but did not constitute incitement to violence or genocide. The journalists refused to put up a defense, saying the charges were baseless and the proceedings politicized. Charges against the journalists included “outrage against the constitution and the constitutional order,” “impairment of the defensive power of the state,” and “attempted genocide.” Nega faces additional charges of “obstruction of the exercise of constitutional powers,” “inciting, organizing and leading armed rebellion against the government,” and “high treason.” He was charged as a leader of the CUD opposition party but has denied the accusation. According to his ID card, the victim’s name was Gebrehiwot Gebrekidan Gebretinsae and he worked for the Commercial Bank of Ethiopia. The joint trial of these journalists and opposition leaders began in February, with most observers expecting it to last many months or even years. Video of one of the victims of the massacre. The charges could bring death sentences upon conviction.

They were charged in December 2005 along with dozens of opposition leaders with conspiring to overthrow the government. Hirut’s never-ending lies prompted the EU Observer to publish an article titled “Time to tell the truth, Ambassador”.These editors and publishers of Amharic-language newspapers were arrested in a massive crackdown on the private press and opposition that followed antigovernment protests in the capital, Addis Ababa, in November 2005. It was not long, however, before Hirut issues a statement apologizing to the EU Observer for the “mistake” and that it was the Tigrayan authorities who destroyed the telecom infrastructure, referring to a propaganda video broadcast by the state-owned Ethiopian Television. Hirut, however, blamed it on “cyber-attack” when asked by the EU Observer. Soon after the outbreak of the war, the Ethiopian government implemented phone and internet shutdowns in Tigray. This is not the first time Hirut has lied about the genocidal war on Tigray. Hirut, a pathological liar, made reference to the pre-war video footages from the Ethiopian Television to substantiate her argument that the celebration of St Mary in Axum took place peacefully “though quietly”. Hirut Zemene, Ethiopia’s ambassador to the EU, said there was no way the massacre could have happened in Axum during the annual celebration of St Mary of Zion. “It’s a very very crazy idea” – Ambassador Hirut Zemene

Archbishop Abune Petros, secretary of the Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, denies the Axum Massacre.

Sisay agena