ADDIS ABABA, 22 Nov. (IRIN): Leaders of Ethiopias main opposition party who face potential treason charges were denied bail (kaution mod at komme på fri fod) on Monday after a court ruled that they should remain in police custody.
In their second court appearance since being detained early this month, 19 top officials from the Coalition for Unity and Democracy (CUD), three journalists and a trade unionist were remanded for a further 10 days.
Waving to family and friends who crowded into the specially convened court session in the capital, Addis Ababa, the detainees said they were all in good shape despite their incarceration.
Judge Adil Ahmed presided over the hearing, which was open to the international media and prisoners immediate families for the first time. He said the detainees should be allowed better access to their lawyers and that medical treatment for the sick should be granted.
– Since the suspects are alleged to have committed serious crimes, the court has decided to remand them for 10 more days in police custody, he said.
Defence lawyers insisted that their clients were political prisoners and well-respected members of society.
– Our clients are respectful elders in the society. Many of them were honest civil servants and teachers who have never committed a crime in their lives. They are only here because of their political beliefs, said Getachew Kitaw, the lead defence lawyer.
None of the 21 men and two women who appeared in court have yet to be charged, but Ethiopian authorities have indicated they are suspected of treason.
Police asked for more time to carry out investigations, claiming that the crime was complex and investigations ongoing countrywide.
No evidence was presented to the court, although police said that four large files presented to the three judges contained witness statements and interviews with the accused, some of whom are elected members of parliament.
Among those appearing were CUD leader Hailu Shawel; mayor of Addis Ababa Berhanu Nega; human rights activist Mesfin Wolde Mariam; and artist and CUD spokesman Debebe Eshete.
The suspects were detained during political unrest that claimed the lives of at least 46 people early this month. Another 42 people died in June in similar protests over the disputed 15 May parliamentary election.
The protests began after the main opposition parties accused authorities of rigging the polls that returned the ruling Ethiopian Peoples Revolutionary Democratic Front party, led by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, to power.
Meles has indicated that the opposition members and journalists could be tried for treason, which carries the death penalty in Ethiopia.
Kilde: FN-bureauet IRINnews
