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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AFP)--The arrest of an Ethiopian opposition leader after her life sentence was revoked isn't a political decision, the country's justice minister said Monday. Authorities arrested and sentenced Birtukan Midekssa to life in prison last week after she reportedly said she never expressed remorse to obtain a pardon in 2007.
She was given three days to deny or confirm the reports. "Birtukan made statements in Germany and Sweden saying she did not plea for pardon. As this statement is untrue the (pardon) board investigated the case and arrived at a decision," Justice Minister Birhan Hailu told the Ethiopian News Agency, or ENA. "The decision does not have any political intention.
Adequate time was given to Birtukan to refute her statement...However, she remained unwilling to refute," Birhan said. He added that the pardons granted to Birtukan and others were linked to conditions in their pleas. "In their pleas they stated their commitment to act in compliance to the supreme law of the land and in due respect to the constitutional system after they were released on pardon."
Birtukan, head of the Unity for Democracy Justice party, had been detained with dozens of opposition figures and supporters following the disputed 2005 elections. The U.S., an Ethiopian ally and the country's top aid contributor, has expressed concern over the arrest and called for more political freedom in the nation. Birtukan's party made its most spectacular electoral gains ever in the 2005 polls and cried foul over reported fraud, claiming it was robbed of victory by Prime Minister Meles Zenawi's ruling party.
The ensuing unrest left close to 200 people dead and drew international condemnation. Ethiopia's next general elections are expected to be held in 2010.
AFP
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Meles give gun for Police to kill, exploit, steal ,rob the People!!!!!!!!!!!!!! we will not forget Yesterday's innocent blood!!!!!!!!! From that time by hook or crook Ethiopian Police will not be on the Side of the Ethiopian People. Police is the worst enemy of the Ethiopian Youths.Yesterday they kill,torch, wound Us!!!!!!!!
In Ethiopian context Police means thief,Robber!!!!!!!
Yestreday In my own naked eyes I saw when a police officer steal one man, he take his clothes,shoes,money. I can witness.
For whom Meles give gun???????? For his enemy. Isn't it??? I think the Ehiopian Police is sharing not best Practices of Keneya Police rather bad Practices of the keneya Police.