Trial of opposition activists adjourned

The trial of Ethiopian opposition supporters, journalists and human rights activists has been adjourned after the federal high court rejected an application by three of the 129 defendants to have a separate trial. Judge Adil Ahmed ruled that the three defendants - two employees of the British nongovernmental organisation ActionAid and a teacher - would not be tried separately because doing so would delay the entire proceedings, in which the accused face wide-ranging charges including conspiracy, treason and genocide. "We have examined your request for a separate trial based on the country's penal code which stipulates how charges should be pressed against a defendant and when a separate trial is appropriate. We have found that the charges are in line with the penal code," Adil said on Wednesday. "If these hearings should take place separately it could delay the trial, with witnesses having to appear twice. … The court does not accept your request for a separate trial," Adil ruled. The trial opened last week with 91 of the defendants present in court. All of them - except the aid workers and the teacher - refused to respond to the charges against them on the grounds that Ethiopia’s justice system was not independent. The court interpreted their silence as a not-guilty plea in accordance to the country's laws. The other three defendants entered a not-guilty plea before the court adjourned the hearing until 22 March. Those being tried include 29 leaders of Ethiopia's main opposition party, the Coalition for Unity and Democracy, and 19 journalists. The charges against them stem from protests against disputed polls in May 2005 in which the party of Prime Minister Meles Zenawi retained the majority of parliamentary seats. The opposition contested the results, claiming the elections were marred by massive vote rigging. At least 84 people were killed in June and November 2005 when clashes between the police and opposition supporters rocked the capital, Addis Ababa. Amnesty International called on 2 March for the release of the detainees and accused Addis Ababa of infringing upon their human rights. "These people are prisoners of conscience, imprisoned solely on account of their non-violent opinions and activities," said Kolawole Olaniyan, the organisation’s director for Africa. "We demand their immediate and unconditional release and a halt to this attempt by the Ethiopian government to criminalise freedom of expression and prevent legitimate political and human rights activity," he added.